World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence

Smartphone Quit Smoking App

Tobacco Control Office has developed an innovative, interactive and informative mobile device application in order to provide tips and support to smokers who want to quit; non-smokers can also learn more about quitting smoking and recommend the App to their family members and friends. In August 2011, TCO launched a free iPhone App “戒煙達人” (Quit Smoking App) . The Android version was also developed and launched in 2012 in view of the popularity of the Android system.

This application provides health information on quit smoking which includes hazards of smoking, benefits of quit smoking, ways of quit smoking, myths of smoking, quitting services and nicotine dependence test. It also helps smokers to quit smoking by offering appropriate quitting advices, keeping track of their quitting progress and issuing regular reminders according to their smoking habits. These advices are tailor-made in both contents and frequency according to different stages of quitting.

This application also provides tips for relieving cravings which might be triggered by different scenarios such as under stress, feeling unhappy, during a social gathering, feeling bored, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, etc. These tips are not only provided via text messages but also by video clips featuring celebrities who are local singers, artists and sport stars. Besides, there is an icon for “Hotline Direct Call” which allows direct access to our quitline 1833 183 in which professional counselling could be given by our nurses.

Further information is available at: http://www.tco.gov.hk/english/quitting/quit_smoking_app.html