This study is not currently active and plans to begin recruitment in early 2025 and is not yet open.

The Puff vs Pill: Break the Habit Study is a clinical trial conducted by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney. The trial is looking at either prescription medication or vaping products, alongside additional text message quit support, to see which is the most effective at helping people experiencing social disadvantage to quit smoking. 

The products included in the study are:

• Vapes (also known as electronic cigarette, e-cigarette)
• Varenicline(e.g. Champix or Pharmacor, a medicine to help stop smoking)

We are looking for adult participants who smoke, live within approximately 150km of the Sydney CBD, and receive a government pension, support, or allowance to take part in the Break the Habit Study.

For a detailed description of the Break the Habit Study, please read our Participant Information Statement.

Please read the Participant Information Statement to find out more about the trial. If you are interested in participating in this trial, please fill in the Contact Form to see if this trial might be a good fit for you and a research team member will be in touch with you soon.

Benefits for participants:

• Either varenicline or vapes at no financial cost for up to three months to help quit smoking. 

• Reimbursement of up to $200 for time participating in the trial paid via bank transfer or gift cards ($50 for completing a baseline interview, $50 for completing a 4-month follow-up survey, $50 for completing a 12-month final follow-up interview and another $50 (if eligible) for the breath test).

• Additional text message quit smoking support.

  No travel required; all information collected over the phone.

•  Flexible interview schedule.

For news and updates from the Break the Habit Study, please like NDARC on Facebook (@ndarcunsw) and follow us on Twitter (@NDARCNEWS).

If you have any questions, email us at breakthehabitstudy@unsw.edu.au or call us at 1800-867-071. If you are interested in joining the study, please fill out the Contact Form on this webpage.