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Mobile phones have become an integral part of our daily lives, giving us unprecedented convenience, connectivity, and access to a wealth of information at our fingertips. And while the ubiquity of mobile phones also comes with downsides, such as screen addiction and mental health issues, as we discussed in our post Positive and Negative Effects of Mobile Phones on Society, smartphones have undeniably become a powerful tool that can change lives. This is evident in the proliferation of quit-smoking apps that offer smokers a range of tools and strategies to aid them in their journey to a smoke-free life.
One of the key advantages of quit-smoking apps is their accessibility. According to data from the World Health Organization, over 70% of the 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide lack access to the tools they need to quit successfully. With the majority of smokers owning a smartphone, cessation apps address this gap, providing support and guidance whenever it’s needed. Below, we’ll delve into the strategies and tools provided by digital cessation apps and how they help smokers overcome tobacco addiction to live healthier, smoke-free lives.
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Common tools and strategies used by quit-smoking apps
Tracking features
Cessation apps such as QuitGuide, Crush the Crave, and QuittyLinks include tracking features that allow users to monitor their smoking habits and progress over time. These features typically track metrics such as the number of cigarettes smoked, cravings experienced, and money saved by not smoking. In a systematic review that analyzed smokers’ experiences using quit-smoking apps, researchers found that tracking features are highly desirable among smokers because such features provide them with tangible data on their smoking behavior and helped increased self-awareness and motivation to quit.
Other apps like Kwithave a gamified tracking feature where smokers are able to unlock achievements the longer they remain smoke-free. One study associated this feature with approximately 22% higher odds of achieving 7-day abstinence.
Smoking alternatives
The American Cancer Society highlights that smoking alternatives in the form of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) can nearly double the chances of quitting smoking. As such, newer digital tobacco cessation programs like Pivot encourage their users to turn to NRTs, including nicotine gum, patches, and lozenges, to aid them on their quit journey. NRTs address physical nicotine dependence and, coupled with Pivot’s specialist coaching and behavioral change support, resulted in a quit rate of 44%.
In addition to NRTs, there are also other smoking alternatives to consider. Nicotine pouches from Prilla deliver nicotine in a tobacco-free and controlled manner, alleviating cravings and withdrawal symptoms to ease the transition away from cigarettes. On the website, smokers can find a wide selection of nicotine pouches in many different types, flavors, and nicotine strengths from all top brands, such as ZYN, VELO, and Rogue.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely recognized therapeutic approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Kwit and QuitGenius are two examples of cessation apps that leverage CBT techniques. QuitGenius, in particular, combines behavioral management, data science, and gamification techniques to create a customized program for users to follow, enabling them to gradually quit smoking. A Nicotine & Tobacco Research study notes that, compared to very brief advice, a digital, clinician-assisted CBT intervention was more effective in achieving smoking cessation at 4, 26, and 52 weeks.
Digital cessation apps represent a promising and innovative approach to tobacco cessation. They give smokers a range of tools and strategies to help them kick the habit for good. From tracking features and smoking alternatives to CBT and online support groups, these apps provide comprehensive support tailored to users’ individual needs.
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