In the world every 6 seconds a person dies from smoking and in the context of the health crisis due to COVID-19; consumption of the substance is a risk factor for the disease to worsen.
Since last May 16, those who want to quit smoking will be able to count on the support of a BOT or virtual assistant through Facebook and Messenger to reach their goal.
The project, promoted by the Ministry of Health, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA), was one of the winners of the 2021 World No Tobacco Day Awards and aims to accompany smokers in their process of quitting tobacco.
Dr. Wing Ching Chan, a pulmonologist participating in the project, explained that the bot’s accompaniment begins 17 days before the date set to quit smoking, providing tools and activities to prepare the body and mind for the change. Likewise, the BOT continues to accompany the process for the next 90 days to motivate the person to continue the process.
Chan explained that the global trend is to use apps and bots to accompany smokers who want to quit, since many people are not available to go on dates.
The pulmonologist explained that of the people who try to quit smoking on their own or “by sheer force of will,” only 4% succeed. In contrast, he said, of those who attend group therapy with educational, pharmacological and behavioral components, almost 90% stop smoking within 90 days and more than 70% remain smoke-free after the first year.
The new virtual assistant is an accompaniment option similar to that provided by therapy, but without the face-to-face component and aims to increase the success rate. People can sign up for the program via WhatsApp or Facebook, set their quit date, and start their process.
Through the webchat they will receive messages of positive reaffirmation and strategies, information and links to sites that offer alternatives to deal with the symptoms of withdrawal, both physical and psychological. Registration can be done at https://www.facebook.com/dejardefumaryvapearcr/
Chan stressed the importance of this project because every 6 seconds a person dies in the world due to the use of tobacco and because in the context of the health crisis due to COVID-19, being a smoker is a risk factor for the disease to worsen .
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