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We Can Quit programme

We Can Quit is a free group programme for people who want support to quit smoking.

The programme runs for 7 to 12 weeks. You get support to quit from a local facilitator, people in your group and a local pharmacist.

You are 5 times more likely to quit for good if you:

  • commit to quit for 28 days
  • get support to change your behaviour
  • use stop smoking medicines

How the programme works

When you join the We Can Quit programme you get:

  • weekly support in a stop smoking group
  • 1-to-1 support with a facilitator
  • free medicines to help you stop smoking

To help you quit, your facilitator will:

  • ask you about your smoking history
  • assess your nicotine addiction
  • recommend treatment that might work for you

Your facilitator understands how hard it is to quit. They will support you every step of the way without judgement.

Weekly group support to stop smoking

The weekly group sessions are led by a local facilitator. All facilitators are trained stop smoking advisors. The groups can be female only, male only or mixed.

The sessions are run by local organisations in places such as community centres or family resource centres.

At the sessions, you can:

  • talk about any difficulties and slip-ups
  • swap coping tips
  • encourage each other
  • check your carbon monoxide levels
Why we measure carbon monoxide levels

Carbon monoxide is a chemical found in cigarette smoke. When you smoke, carbon monoxide takes up some of the place for oxygen in your blood. This reduces the amount of oxygen that goes to your heart, brain and other vital organs.

Carbon monoxide levels decrease as you stop smoking. Your facilitator can measure your levels again when you have stopped smoking to see your progress.

1-to-1 support

Your facilitator will give you 1-to-1 support every week by phone or text at a time that suits you.

They will ask you how you are doing and answer any questions you have. They can also help you get back on track if you have a slip-up.

Free stop smoking medicines

To support you to quit successfully, you can get a 12-week supply of stop smoking medicines for free.

Your facilitator can:

  • give you information and advice about the best stop smoking medicines for you
  • arrange for you to get stop smoking medicines for free through a participating pharmacy

Choosing a treatment to stop smoking

Information:

"Without this programme I would not have been so strong willed in giving up. The support has been amazing. Thank you."

Past participant

Find a We Can Quit group

We Can Quit groups are run by community organisations throughout the country. Programmes often start in spring and autumn. But some groups start at other times of the year.

Contact your nearest organisation to find out if there is a We Can Quit programme starting soon.

Information:

If there is no We Can Quit group in your area, you can get support from a stop smoking clinic.

Find stop smoking services near you

Cavan

Cavan County Local Development
Email: thyland@ccld.ie (Terry Hyland)
Phone: 049 4331029

Cork

Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project
Email: teresamc@btcdp.ie (Teresa McCarthy)
Phone: 087 9015339

Lotamore Family Resource Centre
Email: lotamorefrc@yahoo.ie
Phone: 087 6915471

Donegal

Ionad Naomh Pádraig
Email: ionadnp@gmail.com (Mary Coyle or Máire Uí Chomhaill)
Phone: 074 9532949

We Can Quit programme - ionadnp.ie

Inishowen Development Partnership
Email: quitsmoking@inishowen.ie
Phone: 074 9362218

We Can Quit programme - inishowen.ie

Dublin

Dublin North

Dublin Northwest Area Partnership
Ballymun, Cabra and Finglas
Email: leon.kelly@dublinnorthwest.ie (Leon Kelly)
Phone: 085 8050849

Wellness services - dublinnorthwest.ie

Empower
Fingal
Email: kbrett@empower.ie
Phone: 087 358 0539

We Can Quit programme - empower.ie

Northside Partnership
Kilmore, Priorswood and Kilbarrack
Email: jackie.rynn@nspartnership.ie (Jackie Rynn O'Brien)
Phone: 01 8320995

Dublin City Community Co-op
North East inner city
Email: catherine.heaney@dublincitycommunitycoop.ie (Catherine Heaney)
Phone: 087 1152153

Healthy communities - dublincitycommunitycoop.ie

Dublin South

Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership
Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard
Email: lcorbet@bcpartnership.ie (Lauren Corbet)
Phone: 01 623 5612

South Dublin County Partnership
Clondalkin
Email: jacqueline.sheehy@sdcpartnership.ie (Jacqueline Sheehy)
Phone: 087 2131854

South Dublin County Partnership
Tallaght
Email: Samantha.Griffin@sdcpartnership.ie (Samantha Griffin)
Phone: 086 0839086

Fatima Groups United
South inner city Dublin
Email: health@f2c.ie
Phone: 089 4411673 (Una Rafferty)

We Can Quit programme - fgu.ie

Kildare

County Kildare LEADER Partnership
Email: info@countykildarelp.ie
Phone: 045 895450

Limerick

PAUL Partnership Limerick
Email: mjurgas@paulpartnership.ie (Mariola Jurgas)
Phone: 061 419388

We Can Quit programme - paulpartnership.ie

Longford

Employment Development and Information Centre
Email: healthylife@edilongford.ie
Phone: 043 3347515

Sláintecare healthy communities - edilongford.ie

Mayo

North East Mayo Development Company
Email: hseslaintecare@mayonortheast.com (Rina Garrett)

Tipperary

Clonmel Resource Centre
Email: healthycommunities@clonmelcrc.ie
Phone: 052 6129143

Waterford

St Brigid's Family Resource Centre
Email: sarah.fitzpatrick9@hse.ie (Sarah Fitzpatrick)
Phone: 087 4407969

Westmeath

Midland Regional Youth Service
Email: wcq@youthworkmidlands.org
Phone: 087 7917993 (Eileen McArdle)

We Can Quit programme - youthworkmidlands.org

Wexford

Ferns Diocesan Youth Service
Email: suzanne.roche@fdys.ie (Suzanne Roche)

Wicklow

Page last reviewed: 1 March 2023
Next review due: 1 March 2026