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Quit Guide app

An app from the National Cancer Institute aimed at anyone wanting to quit smoking.

Quit Guide	By National Cancer Institute
	Features Self-help Reminders Tracking your habits Mood Tracking Get the app from (external link) (external link) (external link)
Clinical review	Read a clinical review of this app.
Cost	Free
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information: Yes – smoking status Require a login: No Can be password protected: No Have a privacy policy: Yes Require internet access to use: Yes Read more safety tips around health apps

What does the app do?

This app aims to support people who are trying to quit smoking. Users are prompted to set a quit date and record a personal message, together with a picture, about their reason for quitting. This message is a source of motivation and going forward, every time the user opens the app, the message and picture appear as a reminder. There are options to share on Facebook, track smoking habits such as when cravings occur, or specific moods that prompt smoking and set motivational messages about smoking cessation at the places and times the user is most likely to smoke. For a more detailed description of the app, see Google Play(external link) or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see Reviews.

PROS	CONS
✔ Has provision for user to create a simple quit plan. ✔ Users can add locations or times of the day when you are most likely to crave a cigarette, and then the app sends you a message at this time or at the place (it may be a local bar or friend's house) and it just gives you a wee personal reminder about why you are quitting. ✔ Recognises that smoking cessation medication is an important part of the quitting programme and provides links to smoking cessation medication pages (in the How to Quit section). ✔ Advice provided in the Track my Craving section, is tailored to the strength of craving and trigger – this gives the app a more personalised and relevant feel. There is an option to add journal entries which can be a useful self-reflection tool. Similarly, the Tips and Distractions in the Manage my Mood section is tailored to the user's selection, making them pertinent and appropriate. ✔ Made by a reputable organisation, free and with no ads	✘ Some links don't work. ✘ The How to Quit section has useful information on the quitting process such as steps to prepare, cravings, withdrawal, slips and staying smoke free. However, this information is in lengthy paragraphs of text that are cumbersome for the user to read, especially on a phone. It would be more useful if this important information was summarised and presented in an app-friendly, succinct format. ✘ Graphics and colour display in some sections of My History are very dull and difficult to read. ✘ The cost of cigarettes is in US dollars and outsourced information is to American websites. ✘ Referral to call an American Quitline is given (not targeted to a New Zealand audience).

PROS

CONS

✔ Has provision for user to create a simple quit plan.

✔ Users can add locations or times of the day when you are most likely to crave a cigarette, and then the app sends you a message at this time or at the place (it may be a local bar or friend's house) and it just gives you a wee personal reminder about why you are quitting.

✔ Recognises that smoking cessation medication is an important part of the quitting programme and provides links to smoking cessation medication pages (in the How to Quit section).

✔ Advice provided in the Track my Craving section, is tailored to the strength of craving and trigger – this gives the app a more personalised and relevant feel. There is an option to add journal entries which can be a useful self-reflection tool. Similarly, the Tips and Distractions in the Manage my Mood section is tailored to the user's selection, making them pertinent and appropriate.

✔ Made by a reputable organisation, free and with no ads

✘ Some links don't work.

✘ The How to Quit section has useful information on the quitting process such as steps to prepare, cravings, withdrawal, slips and staying smoke free. However, this information is in lengthy paragraphs of text that are cumbersome for the user to read, especially on a phone. It would be more useful if this important information was summarised and presented in an app-friendly, succinct format.

✘ Graphics and colour display in some sections of My History are very dull and difficult to read.

✘ The cost of cigarettes is in US dollars and outsourced information is to American websites.

✘ Referral to call an American Quitline is given (not targeted to a New Zealand audience).

Privacy and security

To be completed. Read more about things you can do to improve your safety and security when using apps.

Review details

Date of review: November 2022
Platform reviewed: Android
App version: 2.1.26

Learn more

This app has been reviewed by other independent websites:

QuitGuide is a great, free smoking cessation app from the National Cancer Institute(external link) iMedicalApps, August 2016

References

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

Whittaker RI, McRobbie H, Bullen C, Rodgers A, Gu Y. Mobile phone-based interventions for smoking cessation(external link) Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 10;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 Dec;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

App developer: If you are the developer and would like to provide updated information about this app, please email the app library manager at hello@healthify.nz

Disclaimer: Healthify’s 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.

Credits: Healthify Editorial Team

Reviewed by: Lena Estrin, Community Pharmacist

Last reviewed: 06 Nov 2022

Page last updated: 08 Dec 2022