Smartwatch smoking cessation app uses motion-sensor software to deliver timely alerts and support

Smartwatches could revolutionize smoking cessation efforts, as new research from the University of Bristol reveals. Researchers have developed a smartwatch smoking cessation app using motion-sensor technology to detect hand movements linked to smoking. When detected, the smartwatch vibrates, displays alerts, and shares motivational messages crafted by current and former smokers to help users quit.

Messages range from motivational phrases such as “Stopping smoking lets you breathe more easily … Quitting is good” to personalised stats like the tally of cigarettes smoked and drags taken that day. The innovation represents the first standalone smartwatch-based intervention for smoking relapse prevention, operating without the need for a paired smartphone.

Chris Stone, a member of the University of Bristol’s tobacco and alcohol research group, emphasised the critical importance of addressing lapses in smoking cessation. “An initial lapse is a vulnerable moment, often leading to a full relapse. Delivering an intervention precisely at that moment could significantly improve quit attempts,” Stone explained.

The app, tested on 18 participants aged 18 to 70 who smoked more than 10 cigarettes daily, showed promising results. Users wore a TicWatch loaded with the app for two weeks, with feedback collected via a questionnaire.

Two-thirds of participants found wearing the smartwatch acceptable, while 61% reported the messages as relevant. Positive feedback highlighted that the appraised awareness of smoking encouraged quitting, and provided a sense of constant support. However, some participants noted issues such as repetitive messages losing their impact, insufficient message variety, and occasional delays in alerts.

Researchers aim to refine the app and conduct longer-term trials, potentially incorporating a broader array of messages to enhance its effectiveness.

Cancer Research UK welcomed the findings, with Alizée Froguel, the charity’s prevention policy manager, noting: “This study shows that smartwatches could be a useful method to help people quit smoking. However, more research is needed to fully understand their effectiveness.” Froguel also encouraged smokers to explore various quitting tools and to seek support from free local stop smoking services for the best chance of success.

Smoking continues to be a significant public health challenge, but tools like the smartwatch smoking cessation app offer renewed hope. By combining advanced technology with personalized behavioral interventions, this app aims to support individuals on their journey to quit smoking.