Department of Health
A gateway to the strategies, policies, programs and services delivered by the Department of Health.
Be smoke free
We know that being smoke free and staying smoke free can be hard as nicotine is addictive. But the benefits of being smoke free far outweigh any difficulties you may have when you try to quit.
We have gathered the best available information and tools to support you on your smoke free journey.
Don’t quit quitting!
Email ahealthytasmania@health.tas.gov.au for more information.
Please consult a health professional for personalised advice.
What do the experts say?
Expand / Close AccordionThere are many immediate and long-term benefits of being smoke free, including:
- Health benefits for yourself and those around you, such as reduced risk of diseases including various types of cancer, heart disease and respiratory infections
- Financial. Cigarette prices continue to increase and life and health insurance also tends to be more expensive for people who smoke
- Overall quality of life. You’ll smell better (your breath, hair and clothes), be able to participate in physical activity for longer, and won’t need to regularly leave social occasions to have a cigarette.
In Tasmania:1
- Tasmania’s current smoking rate is 17.6% compared to the national rate of 15.1%
- Males are more likely to be smokers than females (19.3% compared to 15.7%)
- People aged 35-44 years have the highest rate of smoking, with 21.8% of people in this age group being smokers
1 National Health Survey 2017/18
How can I be smoke free?
Expand / Close AccordionThere are many ways to quit smoking.
For information and personalised support:
- Call the Quitline on 137 848 and order a free Quit Pack to read or speak to a counsellor who can provide advice on quitting and support as required
- Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about products that can help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as nicotine replacement therapies (find your options here) or medications (champix, zyban)
- Download My QuitBuddy app, a personalised app available for free from Google Play or iTunes
- Visit the Quit Tasmania website which provides information about quitting smoking.
Or, browse the resources in the next section to find out what’s available to help you, your family and community be smoke free.
For everyone
Expand / Close AccordionTobacco control in Tasmania
a website with information about tobacco control policy and laws in Tasmania. Includes resources such as signage and fact sheets.
Visit linkFor pregnant women
Expand / Close AccordionSmoking in pregnancy - fact or fiction
available on the Department of Health's Tobacco Control website
Visit linkFor young people
Expand / Close AccordionSmoke Free Generation
includes information and resources about why and how you can be smoke free
Visit linkFor people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Expand / Close AccordionFor community organisations and local government
Expand / Close AccordionSmoke free areas
includes resources and signage to help event organisers and occupiers declare public events and spaces smoke free
Visit linkFor workplaces
Expand / Close AccordionWorkSafe Tasmania healthy workplaces information
online tools and resources for health, safety and wellbeing, including how to develop and implement a workplace health and wellbeing program
Visit linkFor health and community workers
Expand / Close AccordionSmoking Cessation Program
a training program for all health care workers on how to ask clients about their smoking, provide brief advice to quit and recommend options to quit smoking.
Visit linkSmoking “But it’s the least of their problems…”: A guide for Youth Workers and Youth Service Managers
a booklet to help extend skills, knowledge and practice when dealing with tobacco issues of young people.
Visit linkTasmanian Tobacco Action Plan 2022 - 2026
a plan to improve the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians by reducing the prevalence of smoking and the harm it causes.
Visit linkWorking in Health Promoting Ways
a framework and tools to help staff work in health promoting ways, of which a priority area is to reduce and minimise the harm from tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
Visit linkFor other health and wellbeing resources, visit the Health and community workers page.
If you’ve got feedback or suggestions about the resources in this section, please contact us or complete the feedback form.