Smartwatch app to help people quit smoking

It uses motion sensors to detect smoking gestures, triggering a vibration with supportive messages and details about the number of cigarettes smoked daily, Malaysian newspaper The Star reported.

Users can dismiss the message or access additional resources via a link to the National Health Service smoking cessation website.

The researchers studied the smartwatch on 18 participants aged 18–70 who were interested in quitting smoking and smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day with their right hand. Each wore the watch for two weeks, removing it only during activities like showering or contact sports.

At the end of the trial, 66% said they were comfortable using the smartwatch and 61% felt the messages were helpful in addressing their smoking habits.

A smartwatch screen. Photo from Pexels

Positive feedback included increased awareness of smoking habits, reduced cigarette consumption and consistent encouragement to quit.

But some participants noted issues such as loss of impact due to repetitive messages, delayed notifications and limited message variety.

Chris Stone from the University of Bristol’s tobacco and alcohol research group emphasized the importance of addressing critical moments in the quitting process, noting that people appreciate the watches for delivering messages at the moment they smoke.

"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."

Alizee Froguel, prevention policy manager at Cancer Research UK, said smoking is the leading cause of cancer in the U.K. and underscored the importance of quitting. "This study shows that smartwatches could be a useful method to help people quit smoking, but more research is needed to understand how effective they are." Froguel also encouraged smokers to seek support through free local stop-smoking services for the best chance of success.

The researchers are calling for longer trials to assess the app’s effectiveness and expand its messaging options.

This study is part of the Smoking Cessation theme within the Cancer Research UK-funded Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Program.