Non-prescription:

- Patches

- Gum

- Oral sprays

- Lozenges

- Counselling

- Hypnotherapy

- Acupuncture

Prescription only:

- Pharmacotherapy

- Nicotine vaping products*

*There are currently no nicotine vaping products approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and registered in Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Medicines that are not in the ARTG are known as 'unapproved' medicines.Unapproved therapeutic goods have not been evaluated for quality, safety, efficacy or performance.  

Other than the addiction to the habit of smoking, cigarettes lead to actual physical dependence, which is why most quitting attempts fail. However, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be an effective approach to quitting smoking by providing former smokers with a controlled dose of nicotine without the harmful chemicals contained in cigarettes. These methods allow people to break the smoking habits first and then gradually wean off the nicotine completely. Many studies have shown that using NRT can nearly double the chances of quitting smoking. 

First-line treatments for quitting smoking refer
to regulated approaches and pharmacotherapies clinically proven to be effective.

Current forms of first-line treatments supported
by the RACGP include some nicotine replacement therapy options,
pharmacotherapy, and counselling support.

First-line NRTs include lozenges, patches,
inhalators, mouth sprays and gums and are considered appropriate for most
people.

Some of these treatments are available for
purchase without a prescription from pharmacies and grocery stores.

A combination of longer-acting NRT (patches)
with faster-acting formats (lozenges, gum, sprays) is recommended as a
first-line treatment to quit smoking.

You should consider first-line nicotine replacement therapies such as patches or gum. However, should you find that these treatment options are ineffective or unsuitable for your needs, your doctor may consider prescribing pharmacotherapy or nicotine vaping products as part of your treatment plan to help you quit smoking.

Yes, nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and when a person smokes tobacco, many parts of the body get used to having nicotine in them. When first quitting, the body goes into withdrawal, making the quitting process challenging to manage with willpower alone. If you choose to quit smoking with Nicotine Replacement Therapy you should aim to gradually reduce and aim to be completely nicotine free.

From 1 October 2021, all nicotine vaping products, such as nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine, are classified as prescription medicines and therefore only obtainable with a prescription. If you are seeking access to nicotine vaping products in Australia via a prescription, Quit Hero can connect you with a doctor who will confirm your eligibility for this treatment option.

As there are still few studies regarding possible longer-term effects of vaping you should discuss with a doctor the risks involved with this treatment and whether vaping is right for you.

There is insufficient evidence on the potential long-term impacts of vaping use. More research is required to understand the benefits vs. risks of e-cigarettes fully. However, like most things, vaping products have inherent dangers that must be evaluated when considering this therapy.
To understand these risks fully, you should always speak to a doctor.

Patients who have obtained a nicotine prescription can import supplies under the TGA Personal Importation Scheme, which allows individuals to import up to 3 months supply of nicotine liquid at a time for personal use to quit smoking or prevent relapse.