Stop-smoking medication is recommended for smokers who are dependent on nicotine, which accounts for about 80% of smokers. You’re likely addicted if you answer yes to any of these questions:

• Do you smoke within 30 minutes of waking up?
• Do you smoke at least ten cigarettes a day?
• Do you experience cravings or withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit?

In Australia, there are three types of medication available to aid in quitting smoking:

1. Nicotine replacement therapy (including patches, mouth spray, lozenges, gum, and inhalator)
2. Varenicline tablets (Champix)
3. Bupropion tablets (Zyban)

The choice of medication depends on personal preferences, other health conditions, cost, and past experiences. Some individuals may respond better to one medication over others, so if a treatment has been effective in the past without side effects, it’s typically the first choice if trying again.

There is increasing evidence indicating that vaping has been beneficial for numerous smokers attempting to quit. Overseas, millions of smokers have successfully quit using vaping, making personal vaporisers the most popular cessation aid in the UK, US, and EU.

While complete cessation of all tobacco and nicotine remains the ideal goal, vaping serves as a form of tobacco harm reduction (THR).

THR aims to mitigate the harm caused by smoke without necessarily requiring individuals to cease nicotine consumption entirely.