Tasmania: Free nicotine replacement therapy now available to everyone aged 12 and over

QuitTas, Tasmania's public smoking cessation service, has announced that its free nicotine replacement program will be expanded. Previously limited to priority groups, it is now available to anyone aged 12 and over who wants to quit smoking or vaping, provided the prescription is medically appropriate. The program provides patches/patches along with nicotine gum or lozenges, and smokers/vapers receive support from counselors. It is funded by the Tasmanian government until the end of June 2027.[1]. This measure comes as Australia has reached a historically low smoking rate, although there are regional disparities. Tasmania has the second highest smoking rate in Australia. With this measure, the state aims to remove the barrier of cost.

To access free nicotine replacement therapy, simply contact the Tasmanian Quitline helpline. A counselor will first check your eligibility. Certain situations may exclude you, such as medication or heart problems. People with complex health conditions may sometimes be able to access the service, subject to approval from their general practitioner.[2]. The program lasts 12 weeks. Substitutes are provided in monthly packages worth up to AU$100, representing up to AU$300 in treatment costs. Throughout the program, counselors contact participants regularly to ensure the products are suitable and to support them in their quitting journey.

A targeted program extended to the entire population

According to figures reported by ABC News, 17.6% of Tasmanian adults smoke daily or occasionally.

The program was launched in July 2025. It initially targeted four priority groups: young people aged 12 to 25, expectant and new parents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those eligible for the National Lung Cancer Screening Scheme. According to QuitTas, more than 200 people have benefited since its launch, including over 35 % individuals aged 12 to 25. For Abby Smith, director of QuitTas, these figures demonstrate the real need for support among young people. She describes the expansion as "a shared commitment to reducing the harms caused by smoking and vaping." QuitTas has budgeted approximately AU$144,000 for the 2026/2027 financial year, which should allow it to support around 400 people.

Overcoming the cost barrier and combining treatment and support

Program officials justify this in two ways. First, the price of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) deters some smokers; according to Abby Smith, making them free should remove this barrier. Second, QuitTas points out that the chances of quitting are higher when support, such as that offered by Quitline, is combined with NRT treatment that includes a patch and an oral form (gum or lozenge). These products reduce withdrawal symptoms, particularly cravings. The service has also seen an increase in calls from young people who want to quit vaping, according to counselor Adam Mitchell.

This measure is part of a national debate on the future of the fight against tobacco.

This Tasmania-centric policy comes as Australia reaches historically low levels of smoking. According to the national survey published in July 2026 by the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW)[3], 5.6 per 100,000 people aged 14 and over smoked daily in 2025, compared to 8.3 per 100,000 in 2022/2023. The country is thus moving closer to the target of its national strategy, which aims for 5 per 100,000 or fewer daily smokers by 2030. E-cigarette use also declined sharply among 18- to 24-year-olds, falling from 20.6 per 100,000 to 14 per 100,000 over the same period. Overall, daily use remained stable at 3.6 per 100,000.[4].

The country is, however, particularly targeted by organized crime networks. A third of smokers (34%) report buying or using illegal tobacco. This finding has reignited the debate on taxation. A legal pack currently costs between 40 and 50 Australian dollars, compared to 15 to 20 dollars on the black market. The conservative opposition is considering reducing excise duties to 80, and the One Nation party is proposing a reduction to 75. The federal government rejects this option and prefers to strengthen controls and penalties. Several health organizations, including the Heart Foundation, share this position. The authorities have also tightened regulations on new products: since July 24, 2026, it has no longer been possible to obtain nicotine pouches.[5] through personal importation or specific prescription channels. In Tasmania, a bill introduced in 2026 proposes the possibility of closing businesses suspected of selling illicit tobacco or vaping products for up to 90 days.

Free access to nicotine replacement therapy is precisely one of the measures requested by more than 30 Australian health organizations in an open letter to policymakers. They also call for the maintenance of high taxes and stricter controls over the entire supply chain.

AE

[1] ABC News, Mr. Jacka, Free nicotine products for Tasmanians quitting smoking or vaping, October 13, 2026, accessed on October 13, 2026.

[2] Oz Arab Media, Tasmania expands free nicotine quit support, October 13, 2026, accessed on October 13, 2026.

[3] AIHW, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights, July 2026, accessed on October 13, 2026.

[4] Heart Foundation, Smoking rates fall to historic low…, July 17, 2026, accessed October 13, 2026.

[5] Pharmacy Daily, New regulations to control access to nicotine pouches, July 17, 2026, accessed October 13, 2026.