Use of Mobile Technologies for Smoking Cessation Among Smokers and Former Smokers: Systematic Review

Abstract Background In an era of widespread mobile phone usage, digital public health interventions offer a new cost-effective way of improving public health. In the context of smoking cessation, studies indicate that mobile technologies have the potential to support individuals to quit smoking. However, there is no systematic synthesis of how often they are used by smokers and former smokers. Objective The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of mobile technology use for smoking cessation among smokers and former smokers and to examine their intention to use. Methods MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo were searched from inception to February 13, 2025. Studies were eligible if they reported how often smokers and former smokers in high-income countries used mobile technologies for smoking or vaping cessation. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for prevalence studies. Data synthesis was conducted narratively. Results Twenty-seven cross-sectional studies were included, 25 on smoking and 2 on vaping cessation. The 25 studies on smoking cessation collected data between 2005 and 2024 and comprised 117 to 27,323 participants (mean age 19.9‐50.3 years; n=8). Lifetime prevalences of mobile technology use for smoking cessation ranged between 2.5% and 35.9% (n=8), depending on technology type and population. Period prevalences (0%‐12%; n=4) and point prevalences (1.1%‐10.9%; n=11) were generally lower. Regardless of the prevalence type, the internet was the most frequently used technology (0.8%‐35.9%; n=14). Intention to use mobile technologies for smoking cessation ranged from 19.5% for Twitter to 46.7% for websites (n=2). Of the 2 studies on vaping cessation, 1 presented lifetime prevalence (1.1%‐17.3%), while the other presented period prevalence (5.5%‐6.3%). The intention to use mobile technologies for vaping cessation ranged from 9.7% for web-based programs to 34.6% for apps (n=1). Based on the risk of bias assessment, study quality was heterogeneous, with frequent limitations in sampling procedures, reporting, and reliance on self-reported measures. Conclusions This review provides novel insights into the role of mobile technologies in smoking cessation. Evidence indicates that the prevalence of mobile technology use for smoking cessation is low and that disparities in access and engagement exist. However, there is a high intention to use such tools. Therefore, efforts should focus on delivering existing evidence-based tools rather than developing new ones. Included studies were characterized by high methodological variability and poor reporting, so the results must be interpreted with caution. Overall, despite the widespread availability of mobile technologies to support smoking cessation, research on their utilization remains limited.