We all have different reasons for quitting smoking or vaping. Discover your reason.
Why quitQuitting is a journey and, with the right plan and support, you can achieve your goal.
How to quitQuitting can take practice. Keep up your quitting journey to break free from smoking or vaping for good.
Staying quitTalking to someone about quitting can be challenging, but with the right information you can help them take positive action for their wellbeing.
Helping othersSpeak directly with a trained quit counsellor. Our team are available to provide confidential and free support, a quit plan tailored just for you, and answer all your questions.
Call 13 7848Access our comprehensive suite of tools and tactics designed to help you quit smoking successfully. From quit plans to cost calculators, find the support you need on your journey to becoming smoke-free.
Looking to contact Quitline? Find the way that's comfortable for you.
Last updated September 2025
Read time 5 minutes
Unless you’ve gone back to smoking your regular number of cigarettes, don’t stop using NRT. It’s safe to keep using NRT to help you quit.
It’s important to keep using NRT while you work on ways to manage your triggers to smoke or vape, with support from Quitline (13 7848). This can take many weeks. It’s recommended that you use NRT for at least eight weeks.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the length of time that would be best for you.
It’s best not to eat or drink while using any of the faster-acting types, and for a few minutes after. These include the mouth spray, gum and lozenge.
Don’t have acidic foods and drinks such as coffee, soft drink and juice for 15 minutes before using faster-acting types of NRT. These can affect absorption of nicotine through the mouth.
NRT doesn’t give you the same fast ‘hit’ of nicotine as a cigarette. When possible, you should use a faster-acting type of NRT before you go into a situation that you expect will trigger cravings.
Hiccups may be a sign that you’re using the faster-acting types of NRT the wrong way. You may be swallowing the nicotine rather than letting it get absorbed in your mouth. Chew the gum then park it between your gum and cheek, gently move that lozenge around the mouth and make sure the mouth spray is used under the tongue or on the inside of the cheek. More information on how to use each type of NRT can be found here.
It’s important to spray the mouth spray under the tongue or into the side of your cheek (not into the back of your throat). More information on how to use the mouth spray.
It’s important to move the patch to a new place on your body each day. You can put it anywhere on your upper arms, chest or back. More information on how to use the patch.
Using two types of NRT together (a nicotine patch and a faster-acting type) is called combination therapy. Most people who smoke have a better chance of success if they use combination therapy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if combination therapy is suitable for you.
We have a separate page on each type of NRT: patches, mouth spray, gum and lozenge. We also have a page on combination therapy: patches plus mouth spray, gum or lozenge. Combination therapy together with support from Quitline is one of the most effective ways to stop smoking.
Looking for information on nicotine inhalators? Nicotine inhalators (also known as nicotine inhalers) were discontinued by manufacturers and are no longer available. Alternative faster-acting types of NRT include the mouth spray, gum and lozenges.
Your doctor or pharmacist are best to advise you on your use of NRT. Our Quitline counsellors can give general advice and support to ensure you are using it correctly.
Speak directly with a trained quit specialist. Our counsellors are available to provide immediate support, personalised quit plans, and answer all your questions.
Get in contact with Quit
Nicotine replacement therapy products can include patches, lozenges, mouth spray or gum.
