Create a quit plan and get support to quit smoking

Our quit programme can help you stop smoking for good with:

a digital quit plan
support from a stop smoking advisor

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, rollies or shisha
both tobacco and nicotine products - for example, you smoke cigarettes and vape or use nicotine pouches (snus)

If you do not use any tobacco products and want to quit vaping, we have other advice. Our advice on vaping can also help if you want to quit nicotine pouches.

How to quit vaping

The quit plan

You can create a quit plan to help you stop smoking:

on our website
in the HSE Health App

If you prefer in-person support, you can contact a stop smoking service.

The quit plan on our website

When you create your quit plan on our website, you can:

get daily support messages by email or text message
request extra support from a trained advisor - including a weekly call
order a quit kit - our printed guide to quitting, a calendar and a pen
estimate your nicotine dependence level

You decide the options that work for you when you create your plan.

Request extra support if you want to get free stop smoking medicines. For example, patches, gum or prescription medicines. A stop smoking advisor will call you back to discuss your medicine and support options.

Create a quit plan

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
request extra support from a trained advisor - including a weekly call
get advice on ways to cope with things that make you want to smoke (triggers)
order a quit kit - our printed guide to quitting, a calendar and a pen
estimate your nicotine dependence level
track your progress

You decide the support options that work for you when you create your plan.

Learn more about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

Creating your quit plan in the HSE Health App

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

If you request extra support to quit

Extra support can help if you:

tried to quit before
worry about quitting
want to use free stop smoking medicines
do not have a lot of personal support
have a high level of dependence on nicotine

We can give you individual advice and 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.

Extra support includes the following stages.

1. Discuss your options with an advisor

In your first appointment, we’ll ask you a few questions about yourself and your smoking pattern. This helps us to understand what kind of support you need.

The stop smoking advisor can give you advice about:

your quit date and committing to quit
nicotine and how it causes withdrawal symptoms
stop smoking medicines that may work for you
preparing ways to cope when you want to smoke

The stop smoking advisor will give you time to think about your options and what you want to do next.

If you're not sure you're ready to quit, that’s OK. You can talk to an advisor about the pros and cons of quitting.

2. Set a quit date

When you are ready, you can set a quit date.

A date 2 to 4 weeks away gives you time to get ready without losing motivation. If possible, avoid a day when you could be much more stressed than usual. For example, if you have a big event.

If you're not ready to set a quit date, an advisor can call you back in a couple of weeks. They can recommend support options and help you identify strengths you can use to quit.

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.

If you decide now is not the time for you to quit, you can contact us again whenever you feel ready. With preparation and support any time can be the right time to quit.

3. Prepare to quit

Your stop smoking advisor can:

help you get any medicine you need
explain how to use the medicine

If you decide to use varenicline, you need to start taking it about 10 days before your quit date.

Before your quit day, you can do some other things to get ready. For example, create smoke-free spaces in your home and get rid of all smoking equipment.

Get ready to quit smoking

4. Get weekly calls or other support during the first month

We’ll call you every week for the first month after your quit date.

You can use these calls to:

discuss your progress
get advice on how to manage withdrawal symptoms
help you find new routines and daily patterns to avoid smoking
discuss any concerns or questions you may have
organise your stop smoking medicines and check how they work for you

Outside of these weekly appointments, you can call the Quit team any time during opening hours.

5. 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 and offer support if you need it. You can tell us if you do not want these calls.

If you're not sure about quitting

Most people who smoke want to quit. But it can take a while to feel ready.

If you're not sure that you're ready to quit, you could think about:

what you like or dislike about smoking
the positive and negative effects of quitting for you
keeping a smoking diary to see if there are patterns to when you smoke
asking a friend if they want to quit with you
other support options - for example, group support may suit you better
what worked well for you if you quit smoking before
your strengths and how you used them in difficult situations before

We Can Quit - a group programme to quit smoking

Advice if you’ve tried to stop smoking before

Page last reviewed: 30 March 2026
Next review due: 30 March 2029

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Creating a quit plan to get support