The NSW Quitline is a confidential telephone service, providing expert smoking and vaping cessation information and counselling. For the cost of a local call (except mobiles), professional counsellors provide encouragement, resources and support to help people who smoke and/or vape to achieve their quit goals. They are friendly, helpful, non-judgmental and are able to assist people at whatever stage they may be at in the quitting process.
The Quitline counsellors can also provide advice to family and friends of people who smoke or vape. They can also guide health professionals about the best evidence for quitting smoking and vaping.
NSW Quitline offers:
The iCanQuit website is designed to motivate people to quit by providing them with the information and tools they need to make a quit attempt. It is interactive and allows people who smoke and/or vape to share their stories about past, present, or future quit attempts and connect with others who are experiencing or have experienced similar journeys.
It provides helpful hints on how to quit as well as a goal tracker and savings calculator so people can see the everyday results of quitting.
The NSW Health Smoke-free Health Care Policy means that all NSW Health buildings and grounds are smoke-free except for designated outdoor smoking areas set up by the local health district. This means patients and visitors to NSW public hospitals and health services will have limited ability (if any) to smoke or vape while on the premises. People who smoke or vape will be assisted while in hospital to manage symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
If you are admitted to a NSW Health public hospital you will be asked about your smoking and vaping (how many and how often) to assess your level of nicotine dependence. If clinically appropriate you will be offered free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) while in hospital to manage any cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Some local health districts have staff who specialise in nicotine cessation and can provide further support and advice to people who smoke or/vape to manage their nicotine dependence and to consider a quit attempt on discharge. If this type of support is not available to you while in hospital, staff will talk to you about the NSW Quitline 13 78 48 telephone support service and offer to arrange a referral.
