Create a quit plan and get support to quit smoking

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
on our website

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

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 on our website

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

daily support messages by email or text message
extra support from a trained advisor - including a weekly call

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.

Create your quit plan

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:

if medicine could help you to quit
support to decide a quit date
advice on how to cope when you want to smoke

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.

Page last reviewed: 4 September 2025
Next review due: 4 September 2028

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