The number of smokers has been shrinking in recent years. In fact, an official StatCAN report reveals that smoking rates have steadily been declining since 2015, with smoker populations going from over 5 million to just under 3 million in a six-year period. This comes following a growing awareness of the habit’s negative effects. Apart from being the leading cause of preventable death, smoking tobacco cigarettes is also linked to depressive ideations, financial strain, and environmental degradation.
However, since smoking cessation is a challenging endeavor made complicated by dependencies, many smokers who want to quit turn to additional methods outside of just going cold turkey. These initiatives serve to target triggers and withdrawal symptoms in order to prevent relapses. As expected in this digital age, a number of these quit aids are now accessible online. Here are some of the most effective and well-known ones:
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Alternative nicotine products
For most smokers, a relapse is brought on by an inability to cope with nasty withdrawal symptoms as the body is deprived of the cigarette chemicals it is used to. These symptoms can manifest in a number of uncomfortable ways, like irritability, fatigue, weight gain, and more. To combat these, many turn to alternative nicotine products that help the smoker wean off cigarettes instead. These alternatives are typically smoke- and tobacco-free to minimize the damage of cigarettes further.
Whereas previous decades saw these alternatives only available from select physical stores, now they can also be accessed online. Case in point, On! nicotine pouches, which are a popular oral product, can be bought from reputable online platform Prilla. These small pouches discreetly release controlled doses of nicotine into the bloodstream. Available in a variety of strengths ranging from 2mg to 8mg, with flavors like coffee and citrus, these alternatives can then be shipped and delivered to a variety of locations. Apart from official retailers, these alternatives can also be acquired through online platforms powered by local healthcare channels. For instance, nicotine lozenges are among the cigarette replacements provided by British Columbia’s Pharmacare, which is accessible online. As seen in Nicorelief nicotine lozenges, these products are meant to dissolve on the tongue to offer relief slowly. These are also designed to satisfy a smoker’s oral fixation, thereby removing the need for a cigarette in the mouth.
Virtual counseling sessions
Smoking is commonly hard to let go of because of its perceived stress-relieving benefits. This association, plus the fact that many smokers do so socially, makes the habit harder to shake. As such, many cessation experts suggest getting to the root cause of smoking in order to quit it. This is usually done through counseling and support groups, wherein smokers can find like-minded people who can hold them accountable, help them stay on track, and offer tailored advice on how to traverse the journey.
Traditionally, such outlets are done in person, given their sensitive nature. However, digitalization has seen more people prefer online versions that they can partake in from virtually anywhere. For example, the Canadian Cancer Society’s quit services include their I QUIT NOW online program. Here, smokers can access specialists who will teach them how to cope with cravings, adopt healthier lifestyle habits, and better manage stressful triggers. All these services are free and confidential, which is paramount for many smokers who feel ashamed. Since they’re also based online, this helps smokers stay consistent, which is an essential aspect of sustainable smoking cessation. For those who cannot commit to full-length sessions, there are also chatbots available that can at least provide preliminary information to help smokers start in the right direction.
Smokefree apps
Last but not least, smokers can now also access specific smoking cessation apps. As discussed in Ruby Singh’s article on telemedicine, more providers are looking to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare. By optimizing smartphone proliferation, developers and health experts can offer their expertise to those who may be far-flung, too busy, or physically incapable. For smoking, most quit apps focus on holistic cessation methods that target the root causes and triggers.
To illustrate, the University of East Anglia has developed the Quit Sense app. This makes use of AI to alert when a person is nearing a location they once smoked in and then offers solutions on how to manage any triggers that may come from this. Another example is the Quit Genius app, which uses the tenets of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to create exercises that can help smokers break cigarette dependencies. These include teaching breathing practices and explaining the psychological effects of smoking. Because these apps range from free to moderately priced, they are a convenient option for those who want a guided approach that is more casual than working with a group or counselor.