Quit Smoking - QuitNow app

Quit Smoking - QuitNow app	By Fewlaps
	Features Online community. Social networking. Achievement system for quitting smoking. FAQ section with information on how to quit smoking. Calm breath assistant in paid upgrade.
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PNG, 200 KB] Health Navigator Charitable Trust, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free and paid versions. Learn more about app charges.(external link)
How to get the app	(external link) (external link) (external link)

This app aims to motivate people who are trying to quit smoking by tracking the amount of time that has elapsed since you quit and reminding you of positive health gains you have made based on the number of days you have quit and the number of cigarettes you have avoided. The ‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)’ section also has more information on quitting smoking. The paid upgraded version of the app promises more achievements and health benefits, full chat screen, detailed health screen, a calm breath assistant and no ads.

For a more detailed description of the app see Google Play(external link) or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review ser reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Simple dashboard can be appealing to the user. ✔ The users quit statistics are displayed in a simple, easy-to-understand format which can be encouraging. ✔ Allows you to say exactly how much a packet of cigarettes costs and how many cigarettes you usually smoke which then gives a reliable estimate of how much money you have saved. ✔ The FAQ section has some useful information and links on ways to quit smoking.	✘ The messages in the community section are not always relevant to quitting smoking and can be a distraction. ✘ The app doesn't contain certain information such as tips on how to keep motivated, the harms of smoking, other medicines used to help quit smoking (eg, nicotine lozenges, bupropion, nortriptyline) etc. ✘ Them FAQ section has some great information and would benefit from being more readily accessible from the main app page. ✘ The app provides a chatbot to answer any questions you have that aren’t listed in the FAQ section, but it doesn’t always come back with relevant responses.

PROS

CONS

✔ Simple dashboard can be appealing to the user.

✔ The users quit statistics are displayed in a simple, easy-to-understand format which can be encouraging.

✔ Allows you to say exactly how much a packet of cigarettes costs and how many cigarettes you usually smoke which then gives a reliable estimate of how much money you have saved.

✔ The FAQ section has some useful information and links on ways to quit smoking.

✘ The messages in the community section are not always relevant to quitting smoking and can be a distraction.

✘ The app doesn't contain certain information such as tips on how to keep motivated, the harms of smoking, other medicines used to help quit smoking (eg, nicotine lozenges, bupropion, nortriptyline) etc.

✘ Them FAQ section has some great information and would benefit from being more readily accessible from the main app page.

✘ The app provides a chatbot to answer any questions you have that aren’t listed in the FAQ section, but it doesn’t always come back with relevant responses.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Lena Estrin, Community Pharmacist
Date of review: November 2022
Platform: Android
Version: 6.42.2
Comments: This app aims to motivate people who are trying to quit smoking by tracking the amount of time that has elapsed since you quit, how many cigarettes you avoided, the money saved and the time won back (ie, the time you have saved by not spending it smoking). Based on the number of days you have quit, and the number of cigarettes you have avoided, the app includes reminders on the health benefits or gains that you are likely to experience. There is a ‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)’ section which has more information on quitting smoking. It includes different ways to quit smoking including making a quit plan, information about quit aids including nicotine gum, transdermal patches and hypnosis. It also has links to useful books to read and further references to look at. One key benefit of this app is that it reminds you of progress so far in quitting smoking and the health benefits this may given you. Another key benefit of this app is that there is a community chat group with other people who have quit smoking. The paid upgraded version of the app promises more achievements and health benefits, full chat screen, detailed health screen, a calm breath assistant and no ads.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Information is relevant to New Zealand users however no links to NZ Quit Smoking Services or references.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Brendon McIntosh, Community Pharmacist, Māori Pharmacist Association
Date of review: November 2017
Comments: This app is most helpful for people who want to quit smoking but just to track days and not engage in other activities relating to quitting. A nice and easy dashboard showing how many days they have quit for and how much money they have saved. Easier than trying to remember what date you quit or writing it in a dairy. The app has nothing extra to increase engagement from the person wanting to quit. It has a timeline from the WHO about the positive health effects that can come days, months and years after quitting but this isn’t very exciting or motivating for the person. It may be fine for someone who just wants to track their days smokefree or amount of money saved, but doesn’t have any extra encouragement to push the quitter along when times get tough.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: It is a very basic app so can be relevant to New Zealanders except the chat is either UK or USA. It does have other languages too which could help our multicultural population.

Why should I quit smoking?
Smoking – treatments for quitting smoking
Smoking topics
Quit smoking apps
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app
NZ Health App Library

References

The following references relate to articles about apps for smoking cessation:

Whittaker R, McRobbie H, Bullen C, Rodgers A, Gu Y. Mobile phone-based interventions for smoking cessation(external link). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4:CD006611
Hoeppner BB, Hoeppner SS, Seaboyer L, et al. How Smart are Smartphone Apps for Smoking Cessation? A Content Analysis(external link). Nicotine Tob Res. 2016. May;18(5):1025-31
Heminger CL, Schindler-Ruwisch JM, Abroms LC. Smoking cessation support for pregnant women: role of mobile technology(external link). Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2016 Apr 12;7:15-26
Baskerville NB, Dash D, Wong K, et al. Perceptions Toward a Smoking Cessation App Targeting LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults: A Qualitative Framework Analysis of Focus Groups(external link). JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2016;2(2):e165
Ubhi HK, Michie S, Kotz D, et al. Characterising smoking cessation smartphone applications in terms of behaviour change techniques, engagement and ease-of-use features(external link). Transl Behav Med. 2016;6(3):410-7
Abroms LC, Lee Westmaas J, Bontemps-Jones J, et al. A content analysis of popular smartphone apps for smoking cessation.(external link) Am J Prev Med. 2013;45(6):732-6
Finkelstein J, Cha EM. Using a Mobile App to Promote Smoking Cessation in Hospitalized Patients.(external link) JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2016;4(2):e59
A handbook on how to implement mTobaccoCessation(external link) WHO publication, 2015

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Quit Smoking - QuitNow app