Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Tasmania expands free nicotine products to people aged 12 and over
Tasmania has expanded a program offering free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges to people aged 12 and over who want to quit smoking or vaping.
The products are available to people who contact QuitTas for support and do not have health conditions that make them ineligible.
Participants can receive the products over a 12-week course, with counsellors checking in regularly.
The program previously offered free products only to certain priority groups.
Tasmania has Australia's second-highest rate of adults who smoke daily or occasionally, at 17.6 per cent.
QuitTas says combining nicotine replacement products with behavioural support can improve the chance of quitting.
The program is funded by the Tasmanian government and is due to run until the end of June 2027.
Tasmania has expanded its free nicotine replacement program to anyone aged 12 or over who wants to quit smoking or vaping.
The monthly package includes nicotine patches and gum or lozenges and is worth up to $100.
People must contact QuitTas for support and have no complicating health conditions to qualify.
The products will be provided over a 12-week course, with counsellors checking in with participants.
The program is funded by the Tasmanian government and will run until the end of June 2027.
- Who
- Tasmanians aged 12 or over who want to quit smoking or vaping.
- What
- Free nicotine patches and gum or lozenges are being offered with support from QuitTas.
- When
- The expanded program is available until the end of June 2027.
- Where
- Tasmania, Australia.
- Why
- The program aims to help people quit smoking or vaping by reducing the cost barrier and providing support.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
QuitTas launched the program, initially offering free products to certain priority groups.
The program was expanded to Tasmanians aged 12 or over.
The free products are scheduled to stop being offered.
- Minimum age
- 12
- Monthly package value
- Up to $100
- Course length
- 12 weeks
- Budget for 2026–27
- About $144,000
- Expected participants
- About 400
What people are saying
When you combine behavioural support plus combination nicotine replacement therapy, like nicotine patches plus an oral product like gum, that actually gives people the best chances of quitting successfully
I just want people to understand that there are different ways to quit. You don't always have to go cold turkey, you can use these products
We understand that quitting can be quite a shame-inducing journey, or smoking in general, so we encourage anyone … to give us a call and we meet them we're there at
Sources
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