The American Lung Association and Pfizer is launching a new mobile app and online community called the Quitter’s Circle designed to help smokers face common obstacles associated with quitting through educational, social and financial support. Within a few clicks, smokers can start a quit team with friends and family, find resources to connect with a healthcare provider and crowdsource funds to support the cost of a quit attempt.
A recent survey explored barriers that prevent people from successfully quitting smoking and found that 85 percent of current smokers express worry about the health consequences of smoking, but only 36 percent of them have a plan in place to quit.1 A quit plan is often designed in consultation with a healthcare provider and clinician advice and support can double the odds of successfully quitting smoking.2
App & Community Features
In addition to healthcare provider guidance, another unmet need in quitting is social support. When quitting smoking, smokers are often advised to avoid people, places and activities that remind them of cigarettes.4 However, according to the survey, 80 percent of smokers who are trying to quit reported that support from others, including friends, family, significant others and coworkers, is very important to successfully quitting.1 Friends and family can offer motivation and support to help a smoker stay strong during their quit journey.
Additionally, smokers may need help when it comes to the financial impact of quitting.1 Through the mobile app, smokers can access a resource to start a Quit Fund, allowing their supporters to help with the cost of quitting smoking, including visits with a doctor, counseling and treatment options. If a smoker does not need financial support with the quitting process, a Quit Fund can be used to celebrate a quitting milestone, a critical motivator in staying quit.
The app is available for download on Android and Apple smartphones and the Apple Watch. For information and tips to help on the journey to quit, visit QuittersCircle.com or join the Quitter’s Circle community at Facebook.com/QuittersCircle.
