Smoking Cessation Enters the Mobile Era: Digital Tools Revolutionize Quit-Smoking Efforts
February 2, 20156Day，The World Health Organization celebrated the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Geneva. AsForThe First Worldwide Multilateral Agreement to Strengthen Global Tobacco Control，Aiming to reduce the detrimental health and economic impacts of tobacco.
Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, Head of the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, stated that more than 180 of the WHO’s over 190 Member States have ratified the Convention, covering more than 90% of the global population. Over the past decade, 80% of the Parties have strengthened or adopted new tobacco control laws. Furthermore, 48 Parties have implemented comprehensive smoke-free policies, without exception, covering indoor workplaces, public places (including beaches and parks), and public transport—a nearly tenfold increase since 2005. Moreover, many countries have set ambitious targets to achieve smoke-free status or reduce smoking prevalence to below 5%.
On the 10th anniversary, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan fully affirmed the efforts made by governments, healthcare providers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Since coming into effect in 2005, the Convention has achieved milestone victories. However, Chan also indicated that despite significant progress, numerous challenges remain in realizing a smoke-free world.
The World Health Organization points out that current tobacco control faces5Key Challenges：
Tobacco “Control Fatigue”
As smoking rates rise, strengthening tobacco control has become urgent. Chen stated that the tobacco industry is targeting women as a key demographic to expand its consumer base.
Lack of Effective Implementation Measures
Imposing excise taxes on tobacco products is one of the most effective measures to reduce tobacco demand; however, it is also the least effectively implemented.
Interference from Tobacco Manufacturers
“To counter government-led anti-smoking campaigns, tobacco manufacturers have leveraged trade and investment agreements to block smoking bans. They most strongly oppose the most effective tobacco control measures, such as price increases, bans on advertising and sponsorship, large pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs, and plain packaging.”
The Severity and Prevalence of Illicit Tobacco Trade
Although tobacco control efforts have been significantly strengthened, illicit trade accounts for more than 10% of global tobacco products.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
The use of other tobacco products (e.g., waterpipes, smokeless tobacco, and electronic cigarettes) is becoming increasingly popular, yet such use remains largely unregulated in most cases.
These challenges make it difficult to enforce smoking bans. Chen stated that there are currently about 1.1 billion smokers worldwide, and smoking remains a leading cause of preventable diseases and preventable deaths. In the United States, more than 45 million Americans still smoke, resulting in over 480,000 deaths annually. As of 2013, there were 12.4 million cigar smokers, 8.8 million users of smokeless tobacco, and 2.3 million hookah smokers in the United States.
Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva warned, “Each year, 8.2 million people die from cancer, with at least 1.6 million—20% of these deaths—attributable to tobacco use. This year, more than 6 million people will die from tobacco-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and cancer.”
In China, according to WHO statistics, annual cigarette sales reach as high as 1.6 trillion sticks, and 700,000 people die from smoking each year. Between 2000 and 2012, smoking-related medical expenditures amounted to $6.2 billion, ranking fourth globally. The United States had the highest expenditure, reaching $133 billion.
Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, Director General of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, stated: “If we do not act now, we will suffocate in a massive cloud of smog that will impair our vision and prevent us from seeing the deadly consequences of tomorrow.”
A New Tool for Smoking Cessation: Mobile Apps
Faced with the terrifying imagery of death by asphyxiation and tempted by such a vast market opportunity, some heavy smokers have taken action, attempting to help themselves or their fellow addicts quit smoking through mobile internet solutions, such as app-integratedE-cigarettes, smoking cessation apps that provide incentives, counseling, or peer support, as well as SMS-based smoking cessation programs. The use of mobile platforms is also driven by the fact that mobile technology enables health warnings about the specific consequences of tobacco use to be delivered directly to smokers.
Government agencies and non-profit organizations have also developed numerous mobile health initiatives in this area. In the United Kingdom, for example, National Health Service (NHS) programs such as MiQuit provide personalized smoking cessation support via SMS. Other initiatives, such as the “SmokefreeTXT” service launched by the U.S. National Cancer Institute in 2011 and Canada’s “Quit Now,” offer smokers mobile tools, resources, and community support to help them stop using tobacco products.
Erik Augustson, Program Director of the Tobacco Control Research Branch at the National Cancer Institute, also stated, “Mobile technology can help us substantially increase interventions in a cost-effective manner.”
VCBeat has also found that although there are currently fewer than 100 smoking cessation apps, they feature diverse models, primarily falling into three categories: incentive-based, community-based, and gamified.
I. Incentive-based
Designed for rational smokers. The app calculates how many fewer cigarettes you can smoke each day, highlighting the substantial savings in money and lifespan over time, using striking figures to overpower nicotine cravings. “QuitNow” and “Kick it” are leading examples.
QuitNow: As its name suggests, QuitNow is designed to help you stay away from cigarettes. When first using the app, users are required to enter some basic information, including their quit date, number of days since quitting, reduction in cigarette consumption, money saved, and estimated gain in life expectancy. Based on this input, QuitNow automatically generates statistics such as total time smoke-free, number of smoke-free days, number of cigarettes avoided, and cost savings. Users can also share their cessation progress with others via the “Help” feature to foster mutual encouragement among those trying to quit. Additionally, QuitNow provides relevant informational resources that allow users to review the health impacts and physiological responses associated with smoking over specific periods, based on their individual smoking habits.
Kickit employs a material incentive approach, allowing users to set shopping goals—specifically, the items they wish to purchase and their prices. Based on the user’s daily smoking habits (including cigarette price, unit price per cigarette, and daily consumption), the app calculates the cumulative savings generated since quitting smoking and estimates the time remaining until the shopping goal is achieved.
II. Community-based
By fostering mutual encouragement among smokers, this approach achieves the effect of supervised smoking cessation. “Quit Smoking Legion” is one such initiative, providing a communication platform for users attempting to quit. On the platform, individuals can offer each other encouragement and comfort, share experiences and lessons learned, thereby making smoking cessation easier. Additionally, it provides basic informational support, such as tracking the timing of nicotine cravings and collecting data on smoking-related habits, to help users effectively manage their urges.
III. Gamified Type
Distract from imminent nicotine cravings through gamification. For example, in the app "Quit Smoking: Cessation Nation," users can set a smoking cessation plan, such as a quit date, and achieve their goal by tracking their progress. The app displays practical data, such as daily savings on cigarette expenses and the amount of nicotine avoided. When cravings strike, users can divert their attention using built-in games. Additionally, the app provides cash rewards based on the user’s progress and whether they have achieved their final goal.
