Quit Smoking - QuitNow app

This app aims to motivate people who are trying to quit smoking by tracking the amount of time that has elapsed since you quit and reminding you of positive health gains you have made based on the number of days you have quit and the number of cigarettes you have avoided. The ‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)’ section also has more information on quitting smoking. The paid upgraded version of the app promises more achievements and health benefits, full chat screen, detailed health screen, a calm breath assistant and no ads.

For a more detailed description of the app see Google Play(external link) or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review ser reviews below.

Clinical review

Reviewer:  Lena Estrin, Community Pharmacist
Date of review: November 2022
Platform: Android
Version: 6.42.2
Comments: This app aims to motivate people who are trying to quit smoking by tracking the amount of time that has elapsed since you quit, how many cigarettes you avoided, the money saved and the time won back (ie, the time you have saved by not spending it smoking). Based on the number of days you have quit, and the number of cigarettes you have avoided, the app includes reminders on the health benefits or gains that you are likely to experience. There is a ‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)’ section which has more information on quitting smoking. It includes different ways to quit smoking including making a quit plan, information about quit aids including nicotine gum, transdermal patches and hypnosis. It also has links to useful books to read and further references to look at. One key benefit of this app is that it reminds you of progress so far in quitting smoking and the health benefits this may given you. Another key benefit of this app is that there is a community chat group with other people who have quit smoking. The paid upgraded version of the app promises more achievements and health benefits, full chat screen, detailed health screen, a calm breath assistant and no ads.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Information is relevant to New Zealand users however no links to NZ Quit Smoking Services or references.  

Clinical review

Reviewer: Brendon McIntosh, Community Pharmacist, Māori Pharmacist Association
Date of review: November 2017
Comments: This app is most helpful for people who want to quit smoking but just to track days and not engage in other activities relating to quitting. A nice and easy dashboard showing how many days they have quit for and how much money they have saved. Easier than trying to remember what date you quit or writing it in a dairy. The app has nothing extra to increase engagement from the person wanting to quit. It has a timeline from the WHO about the positive health effects that can come days, months and years after quitting but this isn’t very exciting or motivating for the person. It may be fine for someone who just wants to track their days smokefree or amount of money saved, but doesn’t have any extra encouragement to push the quitter along when times get tough. 
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: It is a very basic app so can be relevant to New Zealanders except the chat is either UK or USA. It does have other languages too which could help our multicultural population.