Aim of the study: To explore the feasibility, acceptability and usage patterns of a smoking cessation smartphone app(Fresh Start) among 18-50 years old individuals who can read and write in the English language.

Objectives:

1.Conduct a pilot study to explore the feasibility, acceptability , and usage patterns of the smoking cessation smartphone app ”Fresh Start” among individuals aged 18-50 seeking help for quitting smoking.

2.Evaluate the effectiveness of the app in promoting behavioural changes related to smoking cessation reductions in cigarette consumption

3.Assess user satisfaction and usability of the Fresh Start app among participants 

4.Utilize the pilot study to address challenges and inform the design of future larger scale studies on smoking cessation interventions using mobile applications.

Methods-

Study sites and population-

The recruitment of participants for this study will involve targeted outreach on prominent online platforms, notably Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Individuals actively seeking assistance of age range 18-50 years for smoking cessation via these platforms will be encouraged to engage in the study by downloading a designated mobile application designed to aid in smoking cessation. Enrolled participants will receive guidance on how to navigate and utilize the application to access its resources and support features aimed at facilitating smoking cessation.

Sampling method & sample size- The study will employ snowball-sampling methodology to achieve a minimum sample size of 50 participants, with the potential to expand beyond this threshold.

Intervention: In the study, participants will be requested to install a dedicated mobile application designed specifically for smoking cessation purposes, tailored for Android users. Upon downloading the application from the link or by scanning the QR code, individuals will be prompted to sign in, where an informed consent process will be integrated into the initial user interface. Upon accessing the application and consenting to participate in the study, participants will be directed to complete a baseline questionnaire. This questionnaire will encompass various demographic details such as age, city of residence, gender, alongside smoking-related specifics including duration, frequency, previous attempts or interventions for smoking cessation, and other pertinent factors. Post successful submission of responses participants will then be enrolled to receive daily motivational messages via the application. These daily motivational messages will serve as supportive and informative content aimed at aiding smoking cessation efforts. The messages will be delivered consistently to the participants as part of the intervention strategy, providing encouragement, tips, reminders, and motivational content to support their smoking cessation journey.

Informed consent- Upon downloading the designated mobile application from the link or by scanning the QR code from the flyer, participants will encounter a displayed Participant Information Sheet (PIS) and consent form on their device screens. They will be prompted to thoroughly read through the provided information and subsequently confirm their voluntary participation in the study by providing explicit consent through the application interface.

Data management- The data collected will be stored, managed, and analysed in a password-secured computer ensuring the participant’s confidentiality

Ascertaining outcomes- Application is intended to obtain baseline characteristics (gender, age, nicotine dependence, frequency, and previous use of cessation intervention method, place and frequency of intervention, success of cessation intervention). Other outcomes related to effectiveness of application will be the frequency and behavioural change towards smoking habit, substituted behaviour, future intention and satisfaction level post using the application.