I would bet it's not. Based on the same starting point (phone in pocket) how many steps are there actually?

UI Option:

- take out phone

- unlock phone

- leave current app

- find and open control app

- find icon to toggle action

- lock phone

- put phone back in pocket

NFC option:

- take phone out of pocket

- bump phone against NFC sticker

- find NFC sweet spot

- put phone back in pocket

Your NFC option missed the "move to be within arms reach of said NFC sticker" step.

For some actions colocation might make sense.

But having to stand up to go rub a magic sticker on the wall or coffee table to turn on the lights seems pretty dumb compared to a few thumb flicks.

It is absurd. Get a button instead. Button option:

- press button

Buttons are $20. NFC stickers are $0.20.