In March 2015, the European Commission launched the improved and upgraded version of the iCoach app, within the framework of the campaign “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable” aiming at helping young Europeans to quit smoking. Responding to EC’s call to set a personal “challenge” and quit smoking before World No Tobacco Day (31/5), 7,000 Europeans downloaded and started using iCoach. These soon to be ex-smokers join the big family of 450,000 current users!
iCoach is available for free online and as a mobile app for Apple and Android, in 23 EU languages and it’s based on the scientific research, clinical experience and the expertise of psychologists and communication experts. Easy to use and navigate, iCoach helps quit smoking in five phases :
– Phase 1: I do not plan on stopping
– Phase 2: I should stop, but I am still in doubt
– Phase 3: I will stop smoking shortly
– Phase 4: I have just stopped
– Phase 5: I have stopped for some time now
After filling out a brief questionnaire to determine their current phase, users receive tailored feedback, advice, techniques, tasks, as well as mini tests and are encouraged to keep a progress diary. iCoach sends the user a daily email with tips, reminders and incentives and a progress report on a monthly basis. The new version of the app offers the new “challenge” function which helps users set small and attainable goals that enable them to control their habit. When they reach their final goal, ex-smokers gain quality-adjusted life years, better health and well-being, more disposable income and many more benefits.
At the press conference on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, the European Commission Health and Food Safety Commissioner, Vytenis Andriukaitis, said: “As a heart surgeon I have personally seen the consequences of tobacco related diseases and thought to fight them. iCoach, can help you quit smoking no matter where you are on your journey. I invite you to sign up to iCoach and set yourself a personal challenge to enjoy the multitude of benefits of a life free of tobacco.”
For more information please visit www.exsmokers.eu
The Public Health Portal of the European Union http://health.europa.eu
The Public Health website of the European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/health/tobacco/policy/index_en.htm
