![A lavender armchair on a back step beside an empty ashtray and a cold mug](https://viacara.com/img/content/addiction-smoking-feature-light.webp) # Smoking Free NHS stop smoking services give you an adviser and stop smoking medicines. Talking support helps with what the cigarettes were doing for you. Smoking has more free help behind it than anything else on this section. Every part of the UK runs a service that costs you nothing. In 2023, just under one in eight UK adults smoked cigarettes. That is the lowest share since records began. Most of the people who stopped had help. Source: [ONS: smoking habits 2023](https://viacara.com/support/addiction/smoking/#ref-3) ## Where the *free* help is A GP, pharmacist or health visitor can refer you to a local stop smoking service. You can also phone one yourself. The service gives you an adviser and access to stop smoking medicines. Both sides of that matter, and using them together is the point. [NHS stop smoking services](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/nhs-stop-smoking-services-help-you-quit/) Adults England Free local services with trained advisers and stop smoking medicines, plus the national Smokefree helpline. Weekdays 9am to 8pm weekends 11am to 4pm [Call](tel:+443001231044) [Find a service](https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/stop-smoking-support-services) Each nation runs its own service. [Quit Your Way Scotland](https://www.nhsinform.scot/quit-your-way-scotland) Adults Scotland NHS Scotland's stop smoking service, with a free helpline and local support. Weekdays 9am to 5pm [Call](tel:+44800848484) [About the service](https://www.nhsinform.scot/quit-your-way-scotland) [Help Me Quit](https://helpmequit.wales) Adults Wales NHS Wales' stop smoking service, with a free helpline and local advisers. [Call](tel:+448000852219) [About the service](https://helpmequit.wales) [Stop Smoking NI](https://www.stopsmokingni.info) Adults Northern Ireland The Public Health Agency's stop smoking service, with a search for local support. [Find support](https://www.stopsmokingni.info) Sources: [NHS: stop smoking services](https://viacara.com/support/addiction/smoking/#ref-1), [NHS: quit smoking support](https://viacara.com/support/addiction/smoking/#ref-2) ![The same step later, the ashtray replaced by a pot of herbs](https://viacara.com/img/content/addiction-smoking-mid-light.webp) The habit had a job to do. Something else has to take it on ## What the cigarettes were *doing* for you Almost nobody smokes for the taste. It marks the breaks in the day and interrupts a rising temper. It gives you a reason to step outside alone. Stopping removes all of that at once. That is why a quit attempt can feel like losing a coping strategy rather than dropping a habit. A professional can help you work out what the cigarettes were carrying, and what else could carry it. That is a different job from the patches and the adviser, and it sits alongside them. ## Hypnotherapy and stopping *smoking* Hypnotherapy is widely advertised for quitting. The evidence for it is weaker than the evidence for the NHS route. Advertising rules treat smoking claims as high risk. If you try it, treat it as an addition to the free service rather than a replacement for it. Ask what the practitioner can evidence before you pay. ## You might find it *useful* when - Every quit attempt ends the same way and you want to understand why - Smoking is how you manage stress, anger or boredom - Stopping dropped your mood further than you expected - A health scare has made this urgent and the pressure is not helping - You have stopped and the restlessness has not gone The free service handles the nicotine. A professional found here handles the rest. Thanks for your interest. We're not taking on new clients at the moment. ## Ready to talk about what the cigarettes were *holding*? We ask what matters to you, then find professionals who fit. Leave your email and we'll let you know as soon as we're ready for you. This conversation helps us find you the right support. What you share helps us understand what you're looking for and find someone who fits. Your email keeps you updated on what's happening next and isn't shared with anyone we introduce you to. [Privacy policy](https://viacara.com/privacy) [Terms of service](https://viacara.com/terms) ## References 1. National Health Service (2026). *NHS stop smoking services help you quit*. [Link](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/nhs-stop-smoking-services-help-you-quit/) 2. National Health Service (2026). *Explore your support options to quit smoking*. [Link](https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/explore-your-support-options/) 3. Office for National Statistics (2024). *Adult smoking habits in Great Britain: 2023*. [Link](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2023) ## Related ### [Alcohol and Drugs](https://viacara.com/support/addiction/alcohol-and-drugs/) Free NHS and charity services treat drinking and drug problems, and you can refer yourself. Talking support works alongside them, never instead. ### [Compulsive Habits](https://viacara.com/support/addiction/behavioural/) Gaming, shopping, work and sex can all become compulsive. No single national service covers them, so a GP comes first and talking support does the rest. ### [Understanding Anxiety](https://viacara.com/support/anxiety/) Learn about anxiety, its symptoms and how therapy can help. Find the right practitioner for anxiety support. ### [Finding the Right Practitioner](https://viacara.com/guides/finding-a-practitioner/) A practical guide to finding a mental health practitioner who fits your needs, preferences and budget.