Our quit programme can help you stop smoking for good with:
- a quit plan
- individual support
You decide the level of support you need.
Check if the quit programme is for you
The quit programme can help you quit if you use:
- tobacco products such as cigarettes and pipes
- a combination of tobacco and other nicotine products - for example, you smoke cigarettes and vape
We have other advice if you do not use tobacco products and you want to quit vaping.
How to quit vaping
The quit plan
You can create a quit plan to help you stop smoking:
- in the HSE Health App
- with our Quit Team
The quit plan in the HSE Health App
When you create your quit plan in the HSE Health App, you can get:
- daily support messages by email, text message or app notifications
- a way to track your progress
- extra support from a trained advisor - including a weekly call
- advice on ways to cope with things that make you want to smoke (triggers)
You decide the options that work for you when you create your plan.
Select the option for extra support if you want to get free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). A stop smoking advisor will call you back to find the right type and strength of NRT for you.
Creating your quit plan in the HSE Health App
Information:
You need a verified MyGovID to log in to the app. This is to make sure we only share your personal health information with you.
How to get a verified MyGovID - mygovid.ie
To create your quit plan in the app:
- Download the HSE Health App from the App Store or Google Play.
- Log in to the app with your MyGovID and password.
- From Services, select Quit smoking.
After you create your plan, you can log in to the app to track your progress.
How to log in to the HSE Health App
The quit plan with our Quit Team
If you want to create a quit plan and do not want to use the HSE Health App, you can contact the quit team.
Our stop smoking advisors can explain your options, such as:
- personalised advice on your plan
- regular calls for support
- free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
How we support you to quit
We can answer any questions you have about quitting. We'll also tell you if you need to talk to a GP or pharmacist about an issue.
Our quit programme works like this:
1. Contact the Quit Team
You can contact the Quit Team:
- by phone
- through the quit plan - if you select extra support, we'll call you back
- through a stop smoking service
Freephone: 1800 201 203
If you're not sure you're ready to quit, that’s OK. You can talk to an advisor about your smoking pattern and the pros and cons of quitting.
2. Assess your smoking pattern
We’ll ask you a few questions about yourself and your smoking pattern. This helps us to understand what kind of support you need.
For example:
3. Set a quit date
When you are ready, you can set a quit date:
- by phone
- in person with an advisor
- in your quit plan
You can call us if you need help to decide a quit date.
If you're not ready to set a quit date, an advisor can call you back in a couple of weeks. But they will not make you set a quit date. You can contact us again whenever you feel ready.
Many people who want to stop smoking worry about change. For example, that they cannot relax without smoking or they are not strong enough to stop. But everyone has strengths they can use. It is possible to quit.
4. Prepare to quit
Before your quit day, you get ready to quit smoking. Get any medicine you need and get rid of all your cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays.
5. Get weekly calls or other support during the first month
If you need more support, you could:
- join a support group
- meet a stop smoking advisor in person
- get 1-to-1 support from an advisor by phone
If you select extra support in your plan, we’ll call you every week for the first month after your quit date.
This is to:
- discuss your progress
- help you manage withdrawal symptoms
- help you find new routines and daily patterns
- discuss any concerns or questions you may have
- organise NRT and check how it works for you
Outside of these weekly appointments, you can call the Quit team any time during opening hours.
6. Get 3 follow-up calls between 3 and 12 months
We'll call you at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after your quit date. This is to see how you’re doing. You can tell us if you do not want these calls.