Nobody will pretend quitting cigarettes is easy. But you can look at it this way: if you smoke, you've got the chance to do the one thing shown to make the biggest positive impact on your health – quitting.
If you want to quit, you will increase your chances of success if you use a quit smoking treatment together with a support programme. Quit smoking treatments only deal with the physical dependence. To get the most benefit, you’ll need other supports that help with the psychological (emotional and mental) part of quitting, such as a face-to-face support, phone support, etc. There are many free services available to help you.
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Quitline NZ(external link)
Freephone 0800 778 778. A free quit smoking helpline providing low cost quit smoking treatments, text support, online support and much more.
Health Promotion Agency NZ and Smokefree / Auahi kore(external link)
Support to quit smoking, advice for parents and caregivers, suggestions for how to run a smokefree event, create a smokefree space, and much more.
Rangitāne o Tamaki nui a Rua Incorporated(external link)
Phone 06 374 6860 or email tamakinuiarua@rangitane.co.nz. Provides a wide range of support services to whānau ranging from alcohol & drug, smoking, mental health, asthma to screening in the Tararua region.
Smokefree Contact Services(external link)
An online directory with regional contacts in every field inside the tobacco control sector. For a full directory in your area, click here(external link) and choose your region on the NZ map. To find the nation’s network of contacts in a specific field, click on a colour on the rubix cube.
QuitStrong(external link)
QuitStrong.nz is supported by the Ministry of Health, Te Hiringa Hauora/Health Promotion Agency and Quitline. The website provides information on getting support via the stop smoking services, information about techniques for dealing with cravings and tools to support the quit journey.
Stop Smoking(external link) (Ministry of Health NZ)(external link)
Tips on how to quit smoking, useful links and resources, brochures, helplines and more.
ReadySteadyQuit(external link)
This free service includes face-to-face sessions with trained professionals. The service is open to anyone who wants to stop smoking in the Auckland and Waitemata District Health Board regions. So if you live, work, learn or play in North, West or Central Auckland, you can get free stop smoking support with us.
Dedicated stop smoking services for pregnant women
If you wish to stop smoking, your lead maternity provider will refer you to a dedicated smoking cessation service for support, such as:
- Quitline(external link)
- Kokiri Marae: Whanau Ora Hapu Mama Stop Smoking Service(external link)
- Tupu Service (Auckland)(external link) Auckland-based Pacific Island Alcohol and Drug (AOD) & Gambling Team
- National Addictions Treatment Directory(external link)
- Smokefree Beginnings(external link) Facebook group supported by Auckland DHB
