New app launched to help smokers kick the habit

A new app to help smokers give up cigarettes for good is being launched this week.

Using a combination of mindfulness techniques and scientific research, the app – called Lifeboat – offers users inspiring daily sessions and tasks to help them kick the habit, anytime and anywhere.

Research conducted by Lifeboat suggests that a quarter of smokers that attempt to kick the habit are successful six weeks after their quit date. It also takes smokers, on average, four attempts to give up cigarettes before they find success or stop trying.

Lifeboat’s goal is to improve these numbers, working towards a 50% success rate for users completing its two-part programme.

The design of the app means Lifeboat subscribers have a daily audio session with a personal coach each morning. The sessions focus on mindfulness and giving smokers motivation they can utilise once they give up tobacco. The programme will also give actionable tasks that can be completed throughout the day, all designed to improve confidence, self-esteem and break routines.

The easy-to-use interface and design of the app means that users can effortlessly track their progress and see how they are working towards their end goal of giving up cigarettes for good.

Lifeboat integrates a number of scientific findings with mindfulness sessions. This means that both withdrawal symptoms arising from quitting smoking and cravings are among the issues the developers considered when creating the programme.

Smoking and oral health

The effects of smoking on health are well-documented, but many people don’t realise the damage it can cause to their mouth, gums and teeth.

Smoking can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and, in more severe cases, mouth cancer.

Roeland Pater, founder of Lifeboat said: ‘Quitting smoking is a complex challenge that many struggle with and that’s why we felt it was important that our programme was based on scientific studies. By incorporating the findings of these into the Lifeboat app, we’re improving the chances of success. We also wanted to ensure users are supported every step of the way, even when they face cravings and other obstacles.

‘A British doctors study estimates that, worldwide, current cigarette smoking levels will cause 450 million premature deaths in the next 50 years. The Lifeboat app aims to help cut this terrifying figure and could make a real difference to success rates for those wanting to kick the habit.’

The difficulty that smokers face when they attempt to quit is well known and many struggle when they simply go cold turkey. The Lifeboat app is split into two distinct sections to overcome this, with the initial 15-day pre-quit focusing on building up motivation and working with users in preparation for ‘life day’ – the day they quit smoking.

Once users have had their final cigarette, they are then supported with daily audio sessions for an additional 30 days to ensure success.

To find out more, visit the Lifeboat website.