Combined chatbot and counselor support for smoking cessation in China: a pilot, mobile-based, randomized controlled trial

The pilot trial demonstrated that combining chatbot-delivered cessation support with personalized counselor via WeChat was feasible and well accepted in community settings. Although abstinence outcomes were not significant, findings suggest that supplementing chatbot support with counselor guidance may enhance engagement and cessation outcomes. This pilot provides preliminary evidence for integrating automated and human-supported approaches into scalable community cessation programs in China.