Te whakamutu i te momi paipa Quitting smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health. If you are ready to quit smoking there are many different options and products to help you quit and stay tobacco-free.

Risks of smoking

Around 5,000 people die each year in Aotearoa New Zealand because of smoking or second-hand smoke exposure. That is 13 people a day.

It is not too late to quit.

Free support to quit smoking

Find a face-to-face service

Use the map to find a local Stop Smoking Service to help you on your journey to quit. These services include:

  • free and flexible support for you and your whānau
  • free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Some services offer a delivery service or access to get NRT from a pharmacy for free
  • support people who can help you quit and stay smokefree
  • information and support if you want to use vaping as a way to quit smoking.

There are also kaupapa Māori and Pacific Stop Smoking services available across the motu. If you cannot find what you are looking for, email Smokefree.

Find a Quit Coach

A Quit Coach is qualified to help you quit smoking and will work with you on a plan that suits your lifestyle.

Get a free quit coach — Quitstrong (external link)

Online, phone or text support

Quitline can help you create a personalised quit smoking plan. They also provide a way for you to get free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges from your local pharmacy.

Help to quit smoking Quitline (external link)

They offer phone, text, online and face to face support to quit smoking.

Stop smoking medicines

Medicines like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can make it easier for you to stop smoking. The medicines work by easing your withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

Patches, gum and lozenges are available for free at your local Stop Smoking Service. You can also get low-cost patches, gum and lozenges through Quitline, a doctor or a pharmacist.

Inhalers and mouth spray can be bought at supermarkets or pharmacies. You will have to pay the normal price but you do not need a prescription.

Most people use patches, which come in 3 different strengths.

You can try combining the patch with gum, lozenges or an inhaler. They are safe to use together. Your healthcare provider can help you find the right combination.

Prescription medicines

There are also medicines you can take to help you quit smoking such as:

  • nortriptyline
  • bupropion (also known as Zyban).

See your healthcare provider to discuss if this is the right option for you.

You will have to pay for the visit to the doctor and your prescription.

Videos: quit smoking with Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Information about smoking

Explore interactive tools about tobacco-related health effects, costs and history on the Smokefree website. Understanding smoking can help you want to quit.

Vaping

Vaping is not harmless, but it is less harmful than smoking. It can help some people quit smoking and should only be used for this. It gives you nicotine with less of the toxins that come from burning tobacco.

There are risks to vaping. We do not know the long term effects of vaping yet. If you are vaping to quit smoking, you should consider planning to quit vaping too. Support is available through your local Stop Smoking Service and Quitline.

Vaping is not for young people.

The healthiest option is not to vape or smoke. Do not vape if you do not already smoke.

Find out more about vaping:

Vaping or smoking complaints

You can complain:

  • about retailers selling vapes or tobacco to people under 18 years of age
  • about retailers displaying tobacco products
  • about smoking or vaping in workplaces, restaurants, pubs or other licenced premises
  • if you have a concern about general vape retailers such as dairies, supermarkets and service stations
  • if you have concerns about specialist vape retailers. Specialist vape shops sell mostly vape products and can sell flavoured vapes. 

Make a smoking or vaping complaint (internal link)