Researchers at a major UK university demonstrated that an artificial intelligence powered mobile app can support people in their effort to stop smoking. The study appeared in a respected medical journal focused on nicotine and tobacco research. The work explores how digital tools can complement traditional quit plans by addressing real life triggers and settings that often lead to relapse.
The researchers observed that quit attempts frequently stall because the urge to smoke tends to cluster in familiar environments. Places like bars, workplaces, or other social settings can become linked with the memory of smoking, making it harder to resist a cigarette in those moments. This insight shaped how the app was designed and tested.
Named Quit Sense, the app uses artificial intelligence to map when, where, and in which situations the user experiences cigarette cravings. When a user enters a location or situation that historically accompanied smoking, the app delivers timely messages intended to support resistance and promote healthier choices. The goal is to interrupt cravings at the moment they arise and to reinforce strategies that help the user stay smoke free.
In the clinical evaluation, 209 smokers were recruited through social media channels. Every participant received access to the national quit smoking campaign, while roughly half of the group also used the Quit Sense app. This setup allowed researchers to compare outcomes between the app users and nonusers under similar conditions.
After six months, the data showed that the group using Quit Sense achieved higher quit rates relative to those who did not use the app. Specifically, the proportion of quitters was about four times larger among app users. A subset of participants who quit verified their success by submitting saliva samples for chemical analysis, adding a layer of objective confirmation to the self reports.
The study authors note that combining financial incentives with ongoing behavioral support could further reduce the burden of smoking related illness. The promising results suggest that digital interventions like Quit Sense may become a valuable component of public health strategies aimed at lowering tobacco use and its associated harms in North America as well as the United Kingdom. Ongoing work will examine long term maintenance of abstinence and how to scale the approach for broader health impact.