Overview: Quitting tobacco is tough—but no one should have to do it alone. Despite decades of public health efforts, tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease. Among young adults aged 18–24, smoking continues to be a persistent challenge, especially for students in community colleges who face unique environmental, social, and behavioral pressures.
QuitBuddy, officially known as Virtual Intervention Coach (VIC), is a digital smoking cessation intervention designed to meet these young adults where they are—on their phones, in their own time, and on their own terms. Developed with MD Anderson Cancer Center, QuitBuddy combines personalized behavioral strategies, multimedia content, daily interactions, gamification, and support tools to guide users through every phase of quitting—from contemplation to relapse recovery.
Challenge:
Tobacco addiction isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. Stress, cravings, and self-doubt can make it feel impossible to quit.
Young adult smokers in community colleges often fall through the cracks of traditional healthcare and smoking cessation programs. This demographic:
· Has higher smoking rates than university students
· Lacks consistent access to healthcare providers or cessation counseling
· Is rarely the target of tailored interventions
· Faces social normalization of smoking and peer pressure
Traditional programs offer expert advice, but what about those moments when you just need a friend to say, “You’ve got this.” QuitBuddy was created to fill this gap, offering real-time, personal support from the people who know you best.
Solution:
Radiant Digital developed and deployed an app designed to monitor users’ quitting journeys while fostering real-time social support. QuitBuddy was developed as a mobile, interactive, self-guided intervention that delivers daily, personalized, and engaging content to support young adults on their quitting journey.
What sets QuitBuddy apart:
- Personalization: Tailored feedback and planning tools based on user inputs and behavioral data.
- Structure: Daily interaction with over 16 multimedia modules covering motivation, quit planning, stress management, social support, and relapse recovery.
- Flexibility: Users engage at their own pace, receive daily check-ins, and access a supportive Quit Calendar.
- Relatable Design: Socially and culturally resonant media that speaks to the real experiences of young adult smokers.
- Gamification: Encourages commitment through progress tracking and rewards.
QuitBuddy isn’t just another quit-smoking app—it’s a behavioral change coach, cheerleader, and accountability partner, rolled into one.
The Technology Behind the Support:
The QuitBuddy platform was developed by Radiant Digital Solutions using Agile methodology and user-centered design. Partnering with the University of Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center, the team ensured that both content and technology were grounded in behavioral science and clinical research.
Key Technical Features:
- User Profile System: Captures user smoking habits, motivations, challenges, and progress to deliver tailored content.
- Message Matrix Engine: Delivers the right message at the right time, based on where the user is in their quit journey.
- Daily Check-In System: Facilitates brief, habit-forming engagement to monitor progress and adjust support.
- Gamified Quit Calendar: Tracks milestones and celebrates victories to sustain motivation.
- Secure Backend Architecture: Ensures all user data remains confidential and HIPAA-compliant.
Major Media Components Include:
The app also integrates self-assessments like the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and the Major Depression Inventory to provide tailored psychological feedback.
The Impact:
Pilot Implementation
The feasibility study was conducted across 14 community college campuses in the Houston area. Young adult smokers were recruited using flyers, peer outreach, and campus events. Eligible participants received:
- A preloaded iPod Touch with the QuitBuddy app
- Orientation and baseline survey
- Compensation for participation and follow-up
Outcomes and Metrics Tracked:
- Usability: Participants rated the app highly in ease of use and visual appeal.
- Engagement: Daily check-ins, interactive modules, and personalized content increased sustained app use.
- Behavioral Change: Participants reported stronger motivation to quit, better coping strategies, and reduced smoking frequency.
- Retention: Use of flexible scheduling and motivational reminders led to a follow-up rate of over 70% in six months.
- Knowledge Gains: Pre- and post-intervention surveys indicated improved understanding of smoking risks and quitting strategies.
Conclusion:
QuitBuddy reimagines smoking cessation for a new generation—digitally connected, socially aware, and constantly on the move. It’s not just about telling young adults to quit smoking. It’s about supporting them every step of the way, with tools that are evidence-based, user-friendly, and genuinely transformative.
By bridging behavioral science and digital innovation, QuitBuddy offers a scalable solution with the power to reduce smoking rates, empower young adults, and create a healthier future—one quit at a time.
