iPhone Apps

I recently wrote a blog for the BMJ on the "healthfulness" of iPhone apps. You can read the full posting here. But, I did come across a few apps that were relevant to tobacco control. There were dozens of quit smoking apps - ranging from self hypnosis to cigarette break tracking. Most apps only cost a few dollars so I suppose even if they are fairly useless there isn't much harm done.

I did come across one app for a Zippo lighter...

"......If you reminisce for the days when concerts goers held up cigarette lighters during rock ballads, Zippo has developed a virtual lighter you can install in your iPhone and proudly wave above your head. Is this a harmless bit of fun or an attempt to reinvigorate the decidedly passé cigarette lighter by associating it with modern technology?"

There's also the iSmoke (see the image posted with this blog) - which basically turns your iPhone into a virtual pipe or cigarette. Is it just really lame or does it normalise smoking?

Anyway - I'll be keeping a close eye on iPhone apps to see if any other pro-smoking or even cigarette brand apps come on board.

Cheers,

Becky


Posted by Becky Freeman on 1 April 2010 | 16 Comments