Iphone Apps for Smoking Cessation: A Content Analysis

Theoretical Background and research questions/hypothesis:  With the proliferation of smartphones such as the iPhone, mobile phones are being used in novel ways to promote smoking cessation. This study set out to examine the content of the 47 iPhone applications (apps) for smoking cessation that are distributed through the online iTunes store.

Methods:  Each app was independently coded by two reviewers for their 1) approach to smoking cessation and their 2) adherence the US Public Health Service’s 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Additionally, apps were coded for their 3) frequency of downloads and 4) user ratings.

Results:   Results indicate that overall apps identified for smoking cessation were found to have low levels of adherence to key guidelines in our index. Apps on average scored 7.8 points out of a total of 60 points in the adherence index, and only 11.3 % of apps strongly following a given guideline. Few, if any, apps recommended or linked the user to proven treatments such as pharmacotherapy, counseling, and/or a quitline. While available apps varied in their approaches across calculator (31.9 %), calendar (27.7 %), rationing (10.6 %), hypnosis (6.4%), and other types of apps (23.4 %), hypnosis and calendar apps dominated what users chose to download.

Conclusions: Current iPhone apps for smoking cessation contain serious omissions in their adherence to established guidelines for smoking cessation.

Implications for research and/or practice:It is recommended that current apps be revised and future apps be developed around evidence-based practices for smoking cessation.