# Digital Smoking Cessation Tools for HIV: Research and Impact

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/digital-smoking-cessation-tools-hiv-research/
> **Published:** 2026-04-25T14:14:48-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:57:42-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Explore digital smoking cessation tools HIV research showing promise in reducing tobacco use among people living with HIV through tailored digital therapeutics.

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#### Clinical Takeaway

Clinical Takeaway:

Digital [smoking cessation](https://cedclinic.com/nicotine-e-cigarettes-smoking-cessation-success-umass-amherst/) tools tailored specifically for people living with HIV can reach this high-risk population and reduce tobacco use, which remains a major cause of preventable illness and death in HIV-positive individuals. Mobile-based interventions show promise for overcoming barriers to traditional cessation programs in this community.

### #23 Population reach, feasibility and acceptability of digital therapeutics for smoking cessation among people living with HIV: Results of the Quitting Matters pilot trial.

**Citation:** Vilardaga R et al. *Population reach, feasibility and acceptability of [digital therapeutics](https://cedclinic.com/social-media-addiction-liability-cases/) for smoking cessation among people living with HIV: Results of the Quitting Matters pilot trial.* Drug and alcohol dependence. 2026. PMID: 41512654.

**Study type:** Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial  | 

**Topic area:** [Drug Interactions](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-liver-interactions-study-insights/)  | 

**CED Score:** 10

Design: 5 Journal: 0 N: 1 Recency: 3 Pop: 2 Human: 1 Risk: -2

**Quality Gate Alerts:**
- Preclinical only

**Abstract:** INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is disproportionately prevalent among people living with HIV (PWH) and is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in this population. Reaching communities of PWH to facilitate smoking cessation is challenging. Digital Therapeutics (DTx) can facilitate widespread implementation and adoption of smoking cessation treatments for PWH. METHODS: We compared the feasibility and acceptability (primary outcomes) and preliminary efficacy (secondary outcome) of a DTx tailored to PWH — Learn to Quit-HIV (LTQ-H) — versus a gold standard smoking cessation DTx (QuitGuide) in a remote pilot randomized controlled trial. All participants received [nicotine replacement](https://cedclinic.com/smoking-cessation-harm-reduction-e-cigarettes-outperform-patches/) therapy and were assessed at weeks 4, 8, and 12. RESULTS: During a 13-month period, we remotely recruited a sample of PWH (n = 41) across the United States, with randomization leading to a higher proportion of LTQ-H users with high levels of [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/). Digital markers of DTx use indicated that compared to QuitGuide, assignment to LTQ-H led to significantly greater number of device interactions (3610 vs 2086; RR=93.14; 95 % CI: 14.70-590; p 

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### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House).
- **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`).
- **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/).
- **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637).
- **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).