Like every year, January 1 brings its share of good and bad news. For smokers, going to the tobacco shop in the first days of the year makes us regret forgetting December 31! Smoking is bad for your health, we all know that, but quitting smoking doesn’t happen by snapping your fingers, I can attest to that! And, with 12 million smokers in France according to Santé Publique France, these increases do not seem to have the impact hoped for by the authorities. To try to quit, some choose the “smoking-free month”, others use patches, or chewing gum, or even the most difficult: abstinence. But, did you know that your connected watch could well become your best ally in this fight? Thanks to a recent study led by the University of Bristol, researchers have developed an innovative application that uses smart watch sensors to monitor your smoking habits and intervene at the key moment. Decryption.
The basics of the study
The study entitled “Presenting and Evaluating a Smartwatch-Based Intervention for Smoking Relapse (StopWatch): Feasibility and Acceptability Study” was published in JMIR Formative Research in 2024. It aims not to quit smoking, but to maintain abstinence and avoid relapse. I can’t count the times I stopped smoking for a week before relapsing even more heavily! The study presents a smartwatch-based relapse prevention system, using passive detection of smoking gesture to trigger support for quitting smoking. The idea is to offer support for quitting smoking via a connected watch and the StopWatch application.
How does this connected watch work?
Now, modern smartwatches no longer just count your steps or monitor your heart rate. Today, they can identify typical smoker actions thanks to their ultra-sensitive motion sensors. A simple raising of the hand, a repetitive gesture towards the mouth… the application detects these signs and immediately sends a personalized alert to the user. The actions of smokers are always the same, and the watch would be able to recognize them and warn the abstainer that it would be better not to carry out them. Eighteen smokers tested the intervention over a two-week period and provided qualitative feedback on the acceptability of the intervention and platform.
The results of this study?
The study carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol proved that this method could really make a difference. Eighteen participants tested this application for two weeks. Result ? Two thirds of them (12 out of 18) found this intervention useful and motivating. The discreet but timely alerts reminded them of their goals and often prevented them from giving in to temptation. However, challenges related to battery life, device size, and notification style were noted, affecting adherence to the intervention and acceptability of the platform.
Imagine: you are at the cafe, a moment typically associated with a cigarette. Your watch vibrates discreetly and displays a message: “Take a deep breath, hold on, you’re doing a good job!” “. This little reminder at the right time could, a priori, transform a fleeting desire into a personal victory. More information here. And you, would you be ready to let your connected watch help you quit smoking? Are you interested in this topic? Do not hesitate to give us your opinion, or to share your experience with us. Please notify us of any errors in the text, click here to post a comment.
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