Smoking is one of the most prominent causes of preventable disease each year in the United States. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 57.3 million people reported tobacco or nicotine vaping use in the past month. Meanwhile, a 2017 study of smokers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 68% of those surveyed wanted to stop smoking, while 55.4% tried to quit during the previous year and only 7.4% were successful.
Three pharmacy students – Ryan Meacham, Kevin Darko and Jake Spurlock – from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center founded GiiD Inc., a startup focused on advancing technology that may help individualize the smoking cessation journey. The device, first conceptualized by Meacham and Spurlock, is a smart e-cigarette paired with a mobile app to track and regulate usage. The device aims to help people better understand and manage their smoking patterns.
Their device will operate similarly to other e-cigarettes on the market but will feature a locking mechanism that allows individuals to set limits on the amount of nicotine they use each day or when they can smoke. Their main goal is to help those who wish to stop smoking altogether, but they believe their device can help others who want to set limits or regain control – all while getting a better understanding of their health and habits.
“It’s about giving people control,” said Darko. “If you look at where healthcare and tech are going, it’s all about metrics and data. We’re trying to enable safeguards and help people moderate their intake to help prevent further addiction.”
Meacham and Spurlock first thought of the idea after struggling with their own journey to quit smoking e-cigarettes. While Meacham began smoking by using e-cigarettes, Spurlock started vaping several years ago to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. Soon, he found himself smoking more frequently because of the device’s ease of use.
“I thought I was doing something good by switching from smoking occasional cigarettes to vaping, but now I am more addicted,” explained Spurlock. “To stop, we’ve tried gum and other products, but they didn’t work for us because they stop the cravings, but you still want to smoke something. A cool thing about what we’re doing is you will still be able to have the physical impression of smoking a cigarette while working on your addiction.”
In 2020, Meacham, Darko and Spurlock won a UTRF Maturation Grant to develop their technology. They are also grateful to Dr. Richard Magid, Vice President of UTRF, and his office for their patience, encouragement and support over the years.
“They took the chance on us, and we’re thankful that they did,” said Meacham. “It’s a testament to their office in how willing they are to help out anyone with a good idea.”
Currently, Meacham, Darko and Spurlock need capital to build out their technology. During this time, they are also working closely with UTRF on any other opportunities to advance their work.
“Ryan, Kevin and Jake are passionate about individualizing the smoking cessation process and using their experience, skills and knowledge to help those who wish to smoke less or stop entirely,” said Magid. “UTRF is proud to support student entrepreneurs with ideas that could have lasting impacts on such prevalent healthcare issues.”