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    Smoking Cessation (quit support)

    Also known as: quit smoking, smoking cessation, nicotine withdrawal, stop smoking, vaping cessation

    Quitting smoking is the single biggest health improvement most smokers can make. The best results come from combining behavioural support (Quitline) with medication (nicotine replacement, varenicline). Acupuncture — including ear acupuncture — is a popular adjunct that may ease cravings and withdrawal for some people.

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    Lifestyle & Diet

    • •Combining Quitline (13 7848) with medication roughly doubles your chance of quitting for good.
    • •Nicotine patches plus a fast-acting form (gum, lozenge, spray) cover background and breakthrough cravings.
    • •Varenicline is the most effective single medication — ask the GP.
    • •Each quit attempt teaches you something; most people succeed after several tries.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    See sources
    • •Acupuncture supports quitting but is not a stand-alone cessation treatment — combine with proven methods.[,]
    • •Ear seeds/needles: check skin integrity, use sterile single-use needles, warn about tenderness.[]

    When to reassess or seek care again

    See sources

    Weekly support in the first month of quitting works best. Track cigarettes per day, cravings and withdrawal symptoms; encourage Quitline registration and GP medication review.

    Explore more diseases

    Achilles tendinopathy (adjunctive care)Acid reflux (GERD)Acne vulgarisAcne VulgarisAcute and Chronic DiarrhoeaAcute bronchitisAcute cystitisAcute gastritis

    Sources & Further Reading

    Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.

    1. Quitting smoking — Healthdirect
      Healthdirect Australia · 2024
    2. Quitline — 13 7848
      Quit / Cancer Council · 2024
    3. Stop smoking interventions (NG209) — NICE
      NICE · 2021
    4. Chinese medicine practitioner safety standards
      AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024

    Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.