Cost-effectiveness analysis of a mobile phone SMS text-based smoking cessation intervention

Objective: To examine the cost-effectiveness of a mobile phone SMS text-based smoking cessation intervention of young adult smokers in the United Kingdom. Design: A Markov model was constructed to examine data from British and international literature. The SMS text-based intervention is compared with a NHS behavioral modification smoking cessation program. Setting: Community setting in the United Kingdom. Participants: 200 people, average age of 37, in the London metropolitan area. Main Outcome Measures: Cost per life years gained. Results: The SMS text-based smoking intervention is more advantageous from the health care payer and societal viewpoints. Sensitivity analyses illustrate robust results. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is £1.86 per life year gained, far below the NICE willingness to pay cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000. Discussion: Cost-effectiveness modeling for smoking cessation intervention programs is a daunting challenge. However, even with the limitations of SMS text-based smoking cessation interventions, further research should be conducted with this burgeoning, innovative mode of facilitating behavioral modification through the use technology.