Quit Smoking Treatment Options in Australia

Quitting smoking or vaping isn’t just a 'willpower' problem, it’s a nicotine dependence problem. Nicotine is designed to keep you coming back through cravings, stress relief loops, and habit triggers.

The most effective quit attempts treat quitting like a health plan, not a personality test. This page walks through the main evidence-based treatment options available in Australia, what they are, how they work, who they suit, and common mistakes that make people relapse.

Get Started 🟢 Chat with a nurse

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(The Foundation Most People Skip)

1) Behaviour Change

Even with the best medication, most relapses happen because of triggers - coffee, stress, alcohol, driving, social moments, work breaks, boredom, and 'I deserve one' thinking.

Behavioural support helps you:

✅ Identify your high-risk moments
✅ Replace routines with new ones
✅ Build a craving plan
✅ Create guardrails for events

Best for: Everyone quitting, especially if you’ve quit before and relapsed in predictable situations.

Common mistake: Using medication but not changing routines, then getting blindsided by triggers.

First-line nicotine replacement treatments to help you quit.

These products give your body a controlled amount of nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.

Nicotine Patches
Nicotine patches stick to your skin and slowly release nicotine throughout the day. You can buy them with or without a prescription. Over time, you step down to lower-strength patches to reduce your nicotine intake gradually.

Nicotine Gum
Nicotine gum works quickly to reduce cravings. You can buy it from pharmacies and supermarkets without a prescription. You chew it a few times, then place it between your cheek and gum until the tingling fades. This allows the nicotine to absorb through the lining of your mouth.

Nicotine Lozenges
Nicotine lozenges are used when a craving starts. You place one in your mouth and let it slowly dissolve. The nicotine is absorbed through the mouth and helps control cravings as it is released into your body.

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2) Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

NRT gives your body nicotine without smoke (and without the thousands of combustion chemicals in cigarettes). The goal is to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings so you can focus on breaking the habit side of smoking.

Types of NRT

✅Long-acting (baseline support):

Nicotine patch

✅Short-acting (craving control):

Gum
Lozenges
Inhalator/mouth spray
Sublingual tablets
Nicotine vape

What about nicotine vaping products?

Vaping is usually seen as a second option for quitting smoking. It is generally considered when other methods, like patches or gum, have not worked.

Vaping can help some people because it replaces both the nicotine and the hand to mouth habit of smoking.

Since 1 January 2024, all nicotine vaping products in Australia, including e cigarettes, pods, and liquid nicotine, require a prescription. They are classified as prescription medicines and cannot be bought freely.

There is still limited research on the long term effects of vaping. However, most experts agree that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, although it is not completely risk free. You must meet certain eligibility criteria to access nicotine vaping products.

Man sitting on a chair holding a tablet looking up quit smoking treatments

3) Vaping as a Quit Tool

Some people switch to vaping to help stop smoking and for many, it can feel like a positive step.

However, vaping can also turn into ongoing nicotine dependence, especially when it involves:

High nicotine strengths
Frequent 'all-day' use
A strong hand-to-mouth habit

If you’re planning to quit vaping, it’s important to know that the process can be a little different to quitting cigarettes.

Treatment planning may need to consider:

Higher or more frequent nicotine
Stronger behavioural dependence
Different triggers

Our clinicians can help choose options that avoid simply swapping one long-term dependence for another.

Prescription-only treatments

If you need faster relief from cravings, there are prescription nicotine replacement options that work quickly and can feel more similar to smoking. These treatments are often recommended for people who experience strong withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine Nasal Spray
Nicotine nasal spray is available by prescription only. It delivers nicotine through the lining of the nose, allowing it to enter the bloodstream quickly. This fast action can help relieve withdrawal symptoms and control sudden cravings.

Nicotine Inhaler/Vape
A nicotine inhaler is a small handheld device with a nicotine cartridge inside. When you puff on it, nicotine is absorbed through the mouth and throat rather than the lungs. Because it mimics the hand to mouth action of smoking, some people find it helpful when transitioning away from cigarettes.

Man sitting at a table trying to quit smoking with cookies and a mug, smiling.

How NRT works best

Many people under-dose NRT and assume it 'doesn’t work.' In practice, NRT tends to work best when:

You use a patch for steady coverage
You add a fast-acting option for cravings
You match dosing to your nicotine dependence level

Best for: Most people, especially those who want a nicotine-based step-down while breaking routines.

Common mistakes:

Using only short-acting NRT
Using too little, too late
Stopping NRT too quickly

What to expect: With the right plan, NRT can significantly reduce the intensity of early withdrawal symptoms (cravings, irritability, restlessness).

Woman sitting at a desk with a tablet and phone, writing down how many cigarettes she has a day.

4) Prescription Medications (Non-Nicotine Options)

Some people benefit from non-nicotine prescription medications that reduce cravings and/or make smoking less rewarding.

These are typically considered when:

You’ve tried quitting before and relapsed
Withdrawal symptoms hit hard
You want a non-nicotine pathway

Varenicline (Chantix and Champix)

Varenicline works by partially stimulating nicotine receptors (reducing withdrawal) while also blocking nicotine’s rewarding effect if you do smoke.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Bupropion affects neurotransmitters linked to cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Other approaches to quitting

Quitting smoking is not only physical. It is also mental and emotional. For some people, extra support beyond medication can make a big difference. There are several alternative and supportive options that may help.

Counselling
Speaking with a counsellor or psychologist can help you understand your smoking habits and triggers. It gives you tools to manage stress, cravings, and behaviour changes. Many people find it helpful to start counselling before they quit.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves placing fine needles on specific points of the body. Some practitioners target pressure points around the ears to help reduce cravings. Results vary from person to person.

Man and woman sitting together in a room with large windows.

5) Combination Therapy

For many people, the strongest results come from combining:

Behavioural support with either:
Combination NRT (patch + fast-acting)
or
Prescription medication (where appropriate)

This approach covers both sides of nicotine dependence:

Physical withdrawals
Habit/trigger loops

Best for: People who have tried to quit before, heavy smokers, and many regular vapers.

Common Questions

What is the most effective quit smoking treatment?

For many people, the best results come from a combination approach:

Behavioural support
Clinical treatment

This targets both the physical withdrawal and the habit/trigger side of nicotine dependence.

Does nicotine replacement therapy really work?

Yes. Nicotine Replacement Therapy, including patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and sprays, can increase quit success rates by up to 50 to 60 percent when used correctly.

NRT reduces withdrawal symptoms by giving your body controlled nicotine without harmful cigarette chemicals.

What types of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are available?

Common NRT options include:

Nicotine patches
Nicotine gum
Nicotine lozenges
Nicotine inhalator / mouth spray
Nicotine vapes

Many people do best using a patch daily, plus a fast-acting option for cravings.

Is nicotine replacement therapy safe?

NRT is widely used and considered safer than smoking because it delivers nicotine without combustion (no tar or smoke toxins). However, it may not suit everyone.

Kicko clinicians assess your history and needs to ensure the right approach.

Is quitting smoking cold turkey effective?

Quitting cold turkey means stopping completely on a set date. Some people succeed with this method because it removes access to cigarettes immediately.

However, withdrawal symptoms can feel stronger at first. Support and preparation greatly improve success rates.

Should I combine treatments to quit smoking?

Combining treatments often improves results. For example, using nicotine patches for steady support while adding gum or lozenges for sudden cravings can be more effective than using one product alone. Pairing medication with counselling or a structured quit plan provides even stronger support.

Can Kicko prescribe quit smoking medication?

Yes. Kicko provides Australia-wide clinical assessment, and can prescribe NRT and/or quit-smoking medications when clinically appropriate and safe.

Common Myths

'If I need NRT/medication, I’m weak.'

Nicotine dependence is a medical and behavioural problem. Treatment helps your brain and body adapt while you rebuild habits.

'I should stop treatment as soon as I feel better.'

Many relapses happen when treatment stops too early, especially when social triggers or stress hit later.

'I only smoke when I’m stressed, so I don’t need treatment.'

Stress-linked smoking is still dependence and stress is predictable. A plan helps you stay quit when stress inevitably shows up.

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