Korean American Smokers’ Perspectives on Mobile Smoking Cessation Applications

INTRODUCTION: The primary purpose of this research is to investigate the adoption process of mobile smoking cessation apps for Korean American smokers with the eventual purpose of proposing a new combined model of smartphone smoking cessation adoption. METHODS: From September 2018 to March 2019, a total of 227 Korean American smokers responded to surveys regarding the effectiveness of mobile applications for smoking cessation. A path analysis was used to analyze the predictors of adopting and using smoking cessation applications available via smartphones. RESULTS: Perceived benefits and self-efficacy were important factors for influencing the perceived usefulness of a smoking cessation mobile app. Moreover, the perceived usefulness of a smoking cessation mobile app was also positively related to intention to use a smoking cessation mobile app. CONCLUSION: Although mobile smoking cessation apps can help many individuals quit smoking, most Korean American smokers are not current users of smoking cessation mobile apps. Therefore, there is a strong need to use strategic evidence-based communication interventions for promoting the widespread adoption of smoking cessation applications.