In the U.S., 20% of deaths are the result of smoking. Quitting smoking is difficult, and as many as 17 million Americans try to quit each year with less than an 8% success rate. Text-based cessation programs have been shown to nearly double abstinence rates in large randomized trials, comparable to other methods like Quitline counseling. Quit4Baby, specifically designed to target pregnant women seeking help to quit smoking, and Text2Quit both developed by GW Prevention and Community Health professor Dr. Lorien Abroms, are copyright-protected text-based-technologies that send up to 300 personalized messages tailored to users quit date. These messages offer advice on quitting, information on cessation therapies, and engaging mobile games to help users manage cravings. Additionally, users can text “CRAVE” for instant support during intense craving moments.
Text2Quit and Quit4Baby are expected to have a significant impact on smoking cessation, especially among minorities and low socio-economic groups who are more likely to use mobile phones than desktop computers and do not have the resources to utilize other smoking cessation tools. Text2Quit and Quit4Baby continue to support users even after they quit smoking by sending reminders of their personal reasons for quitting and the money they are saving. These technologies could be made available through employers, health plans, and public health departments on a subscription basis.
Advantages:
- User-friendly for all technology literacy levels
- Accessible for individuals across all income levels
- Direct users to a variety of support systems to increase success
Applications:
- Cessation of smoking in general population
- Cessation of smoking in expecting and new mothers
