Ireland steps up efforts to reduce smoking rates by offering smokers free quit-smoking aids

Quitting smoking has always been a tough challenge, but as the number of smokers declines year after year, Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) is doing everything it can to encourage people to quit.

Although some people try switching to vaping devices or quitting cold turkey, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been proven to be one of the safest and most effective ways to help people stop smoking. The only problem is that it can be quite expensive.

As of last October’s budget, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes was about €16.75, while a box of nicotine patches could cost between €19 and €23. Since one of the main financial appeals of smoking cessation is saving money, these costs have become a significant barrier to getting started.

This year, the HSE has removed that barrier by offering free nicotine replacement therapy along with a range of proven supports to help people quit smoking.

If you want to quit, the HSE will provide you with a personalized online quit plan, progress tracking, a free quit-smoking toolkit, and free nicotine replacement therapy. People taking part in the quit program can also access a range of one-to-one support options, including face-to-face consultations, group support sessions, and help via phone or social media.