Smartwatch app to help people quit smoking

Researchers at the University of Bristol in the U.K. have developed an innovative Android smartwatch application aimed at helping smokers quit by intervening when smoking-related movements are detected. Using motion sensors, the app identifies smoking gestures and triggers a vibration accompanied by supportive messages and details about daily cigarette consumption. Users can either dismiss the notification or access additional resources through a link to the National Health Service smoking cessation website, according to Malaysian newspaper The Star.

The study involved 18 participants aged 18 to 70 who were interested in quitting smoking and smoked at least 10 cigarettes daily using their right hand. Participants wore the smartwatch for two weeks, removing it only during activities such as showering or contact sports. By the end of the trial, 66% of the participants reported feeling comfortable using the smartwatch, and 61% found the messages helpful in addressing their smoking habits.

Positive outcomes from the study included heightened awareness of smoking behaviors, reduced cigarette consumption, and consistent encouragement to quit. However, participants also highlighted some drawbacks, such as a loss of impact from repetitive messages, delayed notifications, and limited message variety.

Chris Stone from the University of Bristol’s tobacco and alcohol research group highlighted the importance of addressing critical moments during the quitting process. He noted that users appreciated receiving messages precisely when they smoked. "In carrying out this project, we have aimed to harness the latest thinking in intervention design and deliver it in a convenient wearable package with minimal burden to the user and maximum engagement with behavior change; and in doing so, make a difference to people’s lives," Stone explained.

Alizee Froguel, prevention policy manager at Cancer Research UK, emphasized the significance of smoking cessation, as smoking remains the leading cause of cancer in the U.K. She remarked that the study demonstrates the potential of smartwatches as a tool for quitting smoking but stressed the need for further research to evaluate their effectiveness. Froguel also encouraged smokers to utilize free local stop-smoking services to increase their chances of success.

The researchers behind the smartwatch application are advocating for longer trials to assess its overall effectiveness and to enhance its messaging options. This study is part of the Smoking Cessation theme within the Cancer Research UK-funded Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Program.