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A new study led by the University of Bristol has shown that smartwatches could play a significant role in helping people quit smoking, offering a promising new tool for healthier lifestyles in 2025. Published in JMIR Formative Research, the study tested a smartwatch app that uses motion sensors to detect smoking-related hand movements. When smoking was detected, the smartwatch delivered timely relapse prevention messages, supporting participants in their quit attempts.
Smoking is a leading cause of preventable illness and premature death, yet quitting remains a daunting challenge. The study involved 18 participants who wore an Android smartwatch equipped with the app for two weeks. Two-thirds of them (66%) found the intervention helpful, reporting increased awareness of their smoking habits and greater motivation to quit. This innovative method leverages the convenience and popularity of wearable technology to deliver "just-in-time" behaviour change interventions, requiring no smartphone pairing.
Chris Stone, a Senior Research Associate at Bristol, emphasized the importance of delivering support at the critical moment of a smoking lapse, potentially improving quit success rates. The approach is praised for its minimal burden on users and its capacity to engage individuals in meaningful behaviour change.
While the findings are promising, experts like Alizée Froguel from Cancer Research UK stress the need for further research to confirm the smartwatch's effectiveness. She also highlights the importance of traditional support systems, such as free local stop-smoking services, and calls for sustainable funding for cessation programs.
The study lays the groundwork for future long-term trials, offering a glimpse of how wearable technology could contribute to reducing smoking-related illnesses and deaths worldwide.
