Author(s)
Yue Pheng Vang, PharmD
Michelle Balli, PharmD, BCACP
Reviewers:
Timothy Aungst, PharmD
Paige Gundrum, PharmD
Jonathan C. Hughes, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP
Citation: Bricker JB, Watson NL, Mull KE, Sullivan BM, Heffner JL. Efficacy of Smartphone Applications for Smoking Cessation. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2020; 180: 1472-80.
The Problem
Smoking just one cigarette per day increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 46% and smoking 20 cigarettes per day increases the risk of early death by 64% when compared to persons who do not smoke.1,2 Despite numerous anti-smoking campaigns, millions of adults continue to use traditional tobacco-cigarettes or e-cigarettes. Nearly 70% of smokers state they want to quit, however, less than 10% are successful. Disappointingly, less than 60% of smokers report being offered any advice from healthcare professionals when trying to quit.3,4 We need to equip ourselves with the tools to personalize treatment for each patient whether it be pharmacotherapy or behavioral support tools. Smartphone applications are a new option for patients attempting to quit smoking in the digital age, but it is unclear if these apps improve quit rates, whether one application should be preferred over another, and where these apps fit into the treatment algorithm for smoking cessation.
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