Company: Smoke Free
Founder and CEO: Dr David Crane
Website: https://smokefreeapp.com/
About Smoke Free
Smoke Free began as a personal mission for Founder and CEO Dr David Crane to quit smoking after 20 years of failed attempts. It was inspired by David’s psychology dissertation exploring behavioural science and technology, eventually evolving into a fully-fledged smoking cessation app. David believed so strongly in its potential that he sold his flat to fund the early development of the business. Since then, the company has grown rapidly and is now transforming lives across the UK and beyond.
The journey has not been without challenges. Early on, building credibility in a market dominated by large public health providers was difficult. Gaining trust from commissioners and users alike required scientific rigour, measurable results, and resilience. The team also had to navigate the complexities of health data compliance and find scalable ways to deliver personal support at any hour of the day.
Despite these hurdles, Smoke Free has made a major impact. The app has been downloaded more than 7 million times and is close to reaching the milestone of helping 1 million people quit smoking. It is already showing traction in countries like Germany – where it has achieved permanent DiGA listing as a medically prescribable device – with further international expansion in the pipeline.
Smoke Free stands out in the medtech space by combining behavioural science, 24/7 support from NCSCT trained advisors, free nicotine replacement therapies, and a powerful digital platform. In Greater Manchester alone, the programme has prevented 43 million cigarettes from being smoked and saved over 20 million pounds in public health spending.
With a quit rate of 57% – industry-leading by a wide margin- Smoke Free is redefining what is possible in digital health interventions. The platform also outperforms traditional in-person programs, offering better outcomes at a lower cost.
The vision is bold: to help 1 million people quit smoking every year within five years, and 50 million annually within ten. A strong growth strategy is centred around deeper integration with primary and hospital care, plus rapid international scaling.
Smoke Free shows how digital tools can support prevention, reduce healthcare burdens, and deliver public health goals at scale. Its continued success proves that behavioural science, when paired with smart design and accessible technology, can reshape health outcomes globally.
