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Support, not shame

Finding quit-smoking support in Singapore

A practical starting point for a conversation with a quit counsellor, pharmacist or doctor, without shame or treatment promises.

SmokeFree.SG editorial · Sources checked · English edition

AI-assisted explanation based on the official sources cited below. Not individual legal or medical advice. No account, signature or advertising interaction is needed to use this guide.

You do not have to decide everything today

Wanting to stop smoking and knowing how to begin are different things. You might be ready to set a date, unsure about withdrawal, or returning after an earlier attempt. A useful first conversation can start with that uncertainty. You do not need to sign SmokeFree.SG's campaign, share your medical history with us, or buy anything from this website to access the resources below.

This guide is deliberately ad-free. It explains ways to find qualified support; it does not diagnose nicotine dependence, prescribe a medicine or promise that a particular approach will work for you.

Choose a starting point that fits your question

For a structured support programme: HPB's I Quit programme on HealthHub describes the current support options and participation requirements. It points people to QuitLine at 1800 438 2000, doctors and pharmacists for help. Check the programme's current eligibility and terms directly, particularly for rewards or enrolment; campaign signing eligibility does not establish eligibility for a health programme.

For questions about dependence or medicines: HealthHub's nicotine-addiction information explains withdrawal and treatment options, including nicotine replacement therapy and professional advice. A pharmacist or doctor can discuss suitability for your circumstances. Do not copy another person's medicine choice or dose from an online account, and tell the professional about other medicines or relevant health conditions.

For helping a family member or friend: HealthHub's guide to supporting someone who wants to quit emphasises practical encouragement. Ask what kind of support they want. Repeated criticism or policing their behaviour can make the conversation about conflict rather than help.

A short note to take into the conversation

You can prepare a private note with four questions:

  1. What situations make me most likely to smoke—after meals, at work breaks, socially, or when stressed?
  2. What did I find difficult during an earlier attempt, if any?
  3. What support is realistic around my work, school, family commitments or budget?
  4. Who can I contact when the plan feels difficult, and how will we review it?

This is a conversation aid, not a diagnostic questionnaire. You need not send the answers to SmokeFree.SG. Take them directly to the professional or programme you choose, and ask how that provider handles personal information.

If you are younger, pregnant, or have other health concerns

Ask a qualified healthcare professional for advice appropriate to you instead of assuming that an adult programme or medicine is suitable. Age limits for a campaign, a programme and a medicine serve different purposes. A trusted adult can help a young person find support, but this website does not replace a clinical assessment or decide what treatment should be used.

After a difficult day

An earlier unsuccessful attempt is useful information for a conversation, not proof that seeking help is pointless. Be honest about what happened so that support can be adjusted. Avoid turning a setback into a promise you feel unable to keep. A concrete follow-up—such as another counselling conversation or a medicines review—is more useful than a guarantee of success from a campaign page.

Support for current smokers and prevention of future addiction belong together. Our policy position does not make smokers the enemy. For the distinction between current rules and the campaign's future proposal, see Singapore smoking rules and Target 28.