Design of Financial Incentive Programs for Smoking Cessation: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Abstract

Background Financial incentive programmes promote smoking cessation. However, the incentive amount which should be provided – and how this may interact with other programme characteristics – is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the design of incentive programmes for smoking cessation on current smokers’ perceptions of programmes and willingness to enrol. Method An online discrete choice experiment was conducted amongst adult current smokers residing in the United Kingdom (N = 430). Hypothetical incentive programmes were described using five attributes (incentive amount, incentive type, frequency of sessions, reward schedule, programme location). Participants responded to a series of choice sets comprised of two hypothetical programmes. For each set, participants selected their preferred programme. They then specified whether they would enrol in their preferred programme if it were available. Analyses also considered the effect of participant income on preferences. Results Overall, participants preferred higher amounts over lower amounts, cash over vouchers, healthcare settings over workplaces, and consistent amounts over an escalating schedule. One session per week was the most preferred session frequency. Willingness to enrol increased quadratically with the incentive amount, although this increase slowed for higher amounts. Although middle- and high-income smokers preferred slightly higher amounts (cf. low-income participants), enrolment choices did not differ by income. Conclusion The characteristics of incentive programmes influence smokers’ perceptions of programmes and willingness to enrol. Higher amounts may encourage greater enrolment rates, but there will likely be a ceiling point beyond which increasing the incentive amount does not meaningfully increase enrolments.

Effect of 3 months and 12 months of financial incentives on 12‐month postpartum smoking cessation maintenance: A randomized controlled trial

“…It is important to assess abstinence in the long term, after incentives are withdrawn, and we are assessing abstinence in this trial beyond 2 years postpartum. Research should examine which format and incentive level, at what frequency and duration achieves the most effective and cost‐effective outcome [39] and whether the intervention is generalizable to women not receiving pregnancy incentives. Relapse rates were high in the first month and a more intensive initial intervention may be needed; a recent trial offered 16 incentives over 3 months postpartum with promising results [21].…”

Chinese university students’ preferences for physical activity incentive programs: a discrete choice experiment

“…When assessing a person's WTP, we can determine how much they are willing to give up to choose one attribute level over another. WTA analysis via DCE has been applied to various interventions in different markets, including smoking cessation incentive programs, medication adherence incentive programs, vaccine preferences, and more (36)(37)(38). We want to use the WTA as an indicator to understand Finally, we also conducted a subgroup analysis using propensity score matching (PSM) to understand the preferences of university students for various attributes of physical activity motivation strategies across gender, residence status, body mass index, and physical activity level.…”