Talk to a professional
Tell a healthcare professional about how much you use and your previous quit attempts.
This will help you together assess which treatment is most suitable for you and whether you need nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medicines for cessation.
Medication works most effectively when combined with individual counselling, support and follow-up.
Are cessation medications expensive?
The cost of cessation medicines may seem high at first. However, they are intended for short-term use.
The savings from quitting tobacco and other nicotine product use will more than cover the cost of the medication.
Some medicines are reimbursed through health insurance or social assistance.
E-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and snus in smoking cessation
E-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and snus contain substances that are harmful to health. Their high nicotine content and additives that enhance nicotine absorption maintain nicotine dependence.
E-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and snus are products regulated under tobacco legislation and are not cessation treatments. An exception is one nicotine pouch product containing up to 4 mg of nicotine, which has been granted marketing authorisation under medicines legislation as a nicotine replacement therapy.
The use of e-cigarettes to support smoking cessation has been actively studied. According to research, they have been helpful under controlled study conditions, but in real-life settings their effectiveness on smoking cessation is worse.
If e-cigarettes are used to support quitting, smoking should first be completely replaced with e-cigarettes rather than using both products concurrently. After that, the use of e-cigarettes should be gradually reduced in a similar way to nicotine replacement therapy, using other forms of support, until it is possible to stop using e-cigarettes as well.
The best option for health is to stop using all nicotine products.