Mobile App–Based Smoking Cessation in Hispanic or Latino Adults: Culturally Tailored Spanish-Language Formative App Development Study

Abstract Background Despite the notable proliferation of smoking cessation mobile apps, to date, no validated, Spanish-language, culturally tailored mobile intervention exists for Spanish speakers in the United States. Objective The aim of this study was to conduct formative research to inform the adaptation of an evidence-based smoking cessation intervention developed for Spanish-speaking Hispanic and Latino individuals from a printed format into a mobile app. Methods Guided by a user-centered approach and in collaboration with product design industry experts, wireframes were developed to present the app’s layout and functionality. Focus groups were conducted over Zoom (Zoom Communications) with Spanish-speaking individuals who currently smoke to assess their previous mobile app experience, attitudes toward mobile apps, and feedback on app architecture and design. Two independent reviewers (RB in collaboration with another member from the qualitative core) trained in qualitative methods coded the focus group data using a thematic analysis approach and identified emerging themes. Results The app wireframes included 4 navigation buttons on the home screen to organize and deliver evidence-based intervention content—Home ( Inicio ), Learn ( Aprende ), My Coach ( Mi Couch ), and Profile ( Perfil ). Different wireframe designs were generated in distinct color palettes. Data saturation was reached after three focus groups. Participants were 54% (7/13) women, had a mean age of 56 (SD 14.9) years, 39% (5/13) had an education ≤high school, and 31% (4/13) were married or cohabitating. All participants smoked daily, a mean of 14 (SD 7.8) cigarettes per day, for 32 (SD 16.9) years, and 54% (7/13) smoked ≤30 minutes of waking. Participants reported using social media, news, shopping, and gaming apps, but few used mobile health apps. Salient barriers for app use included worries regarding privacy breaches and fears about misinformation. Desired features included community-building elements, personalization, reward badges, knowledge checks, and audiovisual presentation of content within the app. Participants disliked having a countdown to quit date, preferring an “I quit” button to initiate monitoring progress. They also viewed sharing progress with support networks as a source of unwanted pressure, although a few saw it as motivational. Overall, participants liked the app design and indicated willingness to use it. Conclusions This formative research provides critical insights into preferences related to the development of culturally tailored mobile smoking cessation interventions for Spanish-speaking individuals. Key findings highlighted enthusiasm for a smoking cessation app and the importance of including features that foster social connection and allow for personalization.