We all know how expensive smoking is. If you smoke 20 a day, you spend around $8000 every year on cigarettes!
Quitting a habit you have been doing for a while can be challenging. Not to mention how nicotine (the addictive chemical) affects the brain.
And obviously quitting smoking cold turkey would be the quickest way to quit (and the most popular believe it or not).
But why not get all the help you can on your quitting journey, for no moola?
Free Quit Coaching from the Experts
The best thing about this freebie is that they know how to talk to our mob because they are our mob. Aboriginal Quitline will call your phone for free at a time you choose. The service is available 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday. They will provide you with a plan for quitting that is tailored to your specific needs, as well as information on different quitting methods and products. They can also send you freebies and link you up with local support groups if you want. How deadly is that!
If you got no credit on your phone to call them, you can ask your GP to refer you or ask someone with internet to ‘Request a Callback’ and they will call you.
Free Nicotine Patches, Lozenges and Gum
Aboriginal community can get 2 courses of PBS-subsidised nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in a 12-month period.
You greatly improve your chances of quitting if you use a nicotine patch (i.e. a continuous low dose of nicotine) as well as an intermittent form of NRT like lozenges or gum (for top up when cravings hit). Couple this with quit counselling and you have every chance of stopping smoking for good!
These can include a months supply of Nicotine Patches with different amounts of nicotine. Three different brands to choose from.
- Nicabate 24 hour patch (21mg of nicotine) in a 28 pack
- Nicotinell 24 hour patch (21mg of nicotine) in a 28 pack
- Nicorette 16 hour patch (25mg of nicotine) in a 28 pack
If you are pregnant nicotine patches are not recommended, but nicotine lozenges and gum are, just talk to your GP about it!
Intermittent forms on NRT such as nicotine lozenges and nicotine chewing gum are also included on the PBS.
You can get 216 Nicotinell lozenges with different nicotine strengths (2mg or 4mg)
And/or you can get 216 Nicotinell nicotine chewing gum with different nicotine strengths (2mg or 4mg)
If you are pregnant, talk to your GP about using nicotine lozenges or nicotine gum. Don’t use nicotine patches, mouth spray or quitting medicines (Varenicline or Bupropion).
To get these for free, go to your (bulk-billed) GP and say that you want to quit smoking and show them the below image.
This information is valid as of August 2020.
Free Goodies from your friendly Tackling Indigenous Smoking team
We love chatting about quitting smoking and we know a few tips and tricks that may help you.
PLUS we always have stuff on the go – lots of goodies/resources and giveaways to support your quitting journey. Just give us a shout (03) 8752 9100 or click here to order resources
Don’t forget to follow our team on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DDACLTISTeam
Shield our Bubups from Tobacco 
i have suffered 6 heart attacks and desperatly need to
to quit but my finances are tight and cant afford the spray or patches nor can i get to the doctor is there any freebies that can help me please thanks kind regards Lisa Rowe
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Hi Lisa, arranging a telehealth doctors appointment would be beneficial to help you if you aren’t able to see a doctor face to face. You can also request a call back from Quitline https://www.quit.org.au/request-callback/ Both of these services can help you assess your smoking behaviour and work out the best way to quit for you, even with low finances.
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