How to Quit Smoking With Telehealth: What the Evidence Says
| TL;DR |
| Quitting smoking with telehealth gives you a doctor, a treatment plan and follow up without a clinic visit. Australian GP guidelines say the most successful approach combines behavioural support with first line stop smoking medicine and follow up. Telehealth can deliver all three from home. A quit smoking consult at Holistica Health is $59, and free Quitline counselling is available on 13 7848. |
Learning how to quit smoking with telehealth can make your next quit attempt easier to start and easier to stick with. You get a doctor’s plan, a prescription if you need one and regular check ins, all from your phone or laptop.
Fewer Australians smoke than ever. The AIHW reports that 8.3% of people aged 14 and over smoked daily in 2022 to 2023, down from 11.0% in 2019. That’s still around 1.8 million people, and many of them have tried to quit before.
Telehealth won’t make cravings disappear. What it does is remove the barriers that stop people asking for quit smoking help: travel, waiting rooms and time off work. This guide covers what the evidence says works, what happens in a consult, which treatments a doctor can offer and how to make your quit attempt last. You can also learn more on our Quit Smoking page.
What Is the Most Effective Way to Quit Smoking?
The RACGP says the most successful quit approach for people who are dependent on nicotine combines behavioural support with first line medicine and follow up. It also says combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), with behavioural support, works better than a single NRT product.
Behavioural support means practical help with the habit side of smoking. That covers triggers, routines, stress and what to do when a craving hits. A Cochrane review of 194 studies found counselling helps more people stay smoke free for six months or longer.
Medicine deals with the physical side. It eases withdrawal so you can focus on changing habits. Put the two together, and you tackle both reasons quitting feels so hard.
How Does Telehealth Help You Quit Smoking?
Telehealth delivers the core parts of quit support remotely: a doctor’s assessment, a medicine plan, a prescription when appropriate and scheduled check ins. It suits people in regional areas, shift workers, parents and anyone who finds clinic visits hard to fit in.
Research on remote quit support is encouraging:
- A Cochrane review of 104 trials found telephone counselling raised quit rates by 25 to 38%, depending on the group studied.
- An Australian trial in rural and remote NSW found video counselling nearly doubled short term quit rates at four months (14.3% vs 8.2%).
That same trial found no difference at 13 months, though. The lesson is simple: getting started is easier with support, and staying quit needs ongoing follow up. Plan your check ins from day one.
It also helps to know what’s coming. Our guide on how long quitting takes walks through the first weeks.
What Happens in a Telehealth Quit Smoking Consult
Your consult with a quit smoking doctor usually follows these steps:
- Check you’re eligible. Complete the quick eligibility checklist before booking.
- Talk about your smoking. Your doctor asks how much you smoke, how soon after waking you have your first cigarette and what happened in past quit attempts.
- Review your health. Expect questions about medical conditions, mental health, medicines and pregnancy, since these affect which treatments are safe.
- Build your plan. You choose a quit date and agree on medicine and support.
- Get your script. If you need a prescription, it’s sent electronically to your pharmacy.
- Book a follow up. Your doctor checks progress and adjusts the plan.
A quit smoking consult with an AHPRA registered doctor at Holistica Health is $59, with no referral needed.
Which Stop Smoking Medicines Can a Doctor Prescribe?
In Australia, the three first line options are nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and bupropion, according to the RACGP. NRT is available without a prescription, while varenicline and bupropion need a doctor’s assessment. Your doctor matches the option to your health, history and preferences.
NRT comes as patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers and mouth sprays. Many people use a patch for steady support, plus a faster acting form for sudden cravings.
Prescription medicines work differently. They act on the brain to reduce cravings and withdrawal. Your doctor will talk through side effects and whether they suit you.
For a closer look at each option, read our guide to quit smoking medications.
Where Do Nicotine Vapes Fit In?
RACGP guidance treats nicotine vaping products as a second line option for people who haven’t quit with first line treatment, after a shared decision with their doctor. Since 1 October 2024, adults can buy therapeutic vapes of 20 mg/mL nicotine or less from participating pharmacies after a pharmacist consult, where state laws allow. In Western Australia, every nicotine vape still needs a prescription from a doctor.
A prescription is still needed for higher nicotine strengths, whatever your age. Flavours are limited to mint, menthol and tobacco, and you can buy only one month’s supply at a time, according to the Department of Health.
The long term health effects of vaping aren’t fully known yet, which is why guidelines keep vapes as a later step. If you want to explore this option, our guide on getting a legal nicotine vaping prescription explains the process.
Practical Strategies to Make Your Quit Attempt Last
Medicine and support work best alongside a few simple habits:
- Set a quit date. Pick a day within the next two weeks and tell people you trust.
- Map your triggers. Coffee, driving and stress are common ones. Plan a swap for each.
- Expect withdrawal. Knowing the nicotine withdrawal timeline makes tough days feel less alarming.
- Plan for appetite changes. Our article on weight gain after quitting has practical tips.
- Use free support. Quitline (13 7848) offers free, confidential counselling and can call you back.
- Keep your check ins. Follow up is where most of the long term benefit comes from.
A slip isn’t a failure. Tell your doctor, review what happened and adjust the plan.
The Bottom Line
Key takeaways:
- Medicine plus behavioural support, with follow up, gives you the strongest start.
- Telehealth delivers all three without travel or waiting rooms.
- Vapes are a second line option, best discussed with a doctor.
Ready to make this attempt different? Complete our quick eligibility checklist to book a $59 quit smoking consult with an AHPRA registered doctor. You’ll get a plan built around your habits and support to see it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a doctor prescribe quit smoking medication online?
Yes. An AHPRA registered doctor can assess you by video or phone and send an electronic prescription to your pharmacy when a medicine is suitable. Nicotine replacement therapy is also available without a prescription.
How much does a telehealth quit smoking consult cost?
A quit smoking consult at Holistica Health is $59, with no referral needed. The cost of any medicine is separate and depends on what is prescribed and your pharmacy.
Is telehealth as effective as seeing a GP in person?
Research on remote support is encouraging. A Cochrane review found telephone counselling raised quit rates by 25 to 38%, and an Australian rural trial found video counselling improved short term quit rates. Ongoing follow up matters most for staying quit.
Do I need a prescription for nicotine vapes?
Since 1 October 2024, adults can buy therapeutic vapes of 20 mg/mL nicotine or less from participating pharmacies after speaking with a pharmacist, where state laws allow. In Western Australia, every nicotine vape still needs a doctor’s prescription. Higher strengths still need a prescription everywhere. Guidelines treat vapes as a second line option after first line treatments.
Is Quitline free?
Yes. Quitline (13 7848) offers free, confidential telephone counselling to help people stop smoking or vaping. Calls cost the same as a local call, and you can request a callback online.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. It does not guarantee any treatment outcome. Always speak with an AHPRA registered doctor before starting or changing treatment.