Smoking cessation app launched by Text4baby team

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Last week, Voxiva in the US announced it is following up the success of its free texting service promoting baby health called Text4baby with Text2Quit, which uses SMS messages, email, and web support to help smokers snuff out their habit.

Mobihealthnews reports that Text2Quit offers personalized support along with a number of services that set it apart, including a game that claims to help users fight off cravings, in addition to tips, text support from ex-smokers, and a structured cessation plan based on your needs.

Voxiva has partnered with George Washington University in the US on the new service. Currently it is only available in the US, but if it follows in the footsteps of Text4baby, which is backed by the White House and major corporations such as Johnson & Johnson, it could be available internationally as well.

Mobile health devices devised to help change behaviors, such as losing weight and stopping smoking, as well as manage treatment programs for health conditions such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, are springing up everywhere. But whether or not they actually work is under hot debate. Text4baby's service, which aims to inform low-income mothers of the best way to care for their babies, is currently being studied to measure its effectiveness. Meanwhile smoking apps have been getting mixed reviews from experts.

While apps may not work miracles they do hold potential to be a valuable tool to help people stop smoking, experts say. Researchers have already shown that text messages provide helpful motivation to people who are trying to quit, and experts claim smartphones might be even more useful because they are capable of providing a fuller multimedia experience.

Some other apps available to help you stop smoking are MyQuit Coach, NHS Quit Smoking, iQuit, and CoachQuit.

Learn about other apps for quitting smoking: http://www.switched.com/2010/08/23/11-iphone-smoking-apps-for-kicking-the-habit/

Learn more about Text2Quit: http://www.voxiva.com/solutions/health_engagement/smokingCessation.html