"Smoking Does Not Make You Happy" - Unlearning Smoking Habits Through Mobile Applications on Android OS

We analyze in-depth five smoking cessation apps on Android OS, examining how they teach users to quit smoking and what they learn from users. Apps advise would-be ex-smokers how to perceive the world, how to deal with their emotions, and how to act on their bodies and environment. Still, they learn little from their users, and even less from the scientific literature on smoking cessation. We discuss the potential for improved customization of advice to users’ profiles and we propose a simple inventory of online scientific resources as a starting point for developers looking to create better apps.

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