Australians want governments to pair stronger tobacco and vaping control measures with better support to quit, with new national research showing that nearly eight in 10 adults back free access to evidence-based treatments and professional help.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by Lung Foundation Australia, found 79% of adults agree that people who use tobacco, e-cigarettes or other nicotine products should be better supported to quit through free access to evidence-based treatments and professional support. Nearly three in four Australians (74%) agree that combining tobacco control measures with better quit support is more effective at reducing smoking rates than relying on restrictions alone.
The message is clear: prevention matters, but people already experiencing nicotine dependence need practical, affordable support to quit.
The survey found 85% of adults support increased help for people seeking to quit tobacco and vape products, and 80% said supporting people to quit is essential to achieving a tobacco- and vape-free generation.
Australians overwhelmingly recognise the importance of comprehensive quit support, with strong majorities identifying the following measures as important for helping people successfully quit smoking and vaping:
- healthcare professional advice (88%),
- behavioural support services such as Quitline or counselling (87%),
- access to free quit treatments including nicotine replacement therapy and other approved medicines (87%),
- Education and awareness campaigns on the harms of smoking and vaping (86%),
- reducing the cost of quit treatments through government subsidy (84%), and
- access to digital quit support resources and tools (84%)
Lung Foundation Australia Chief Executive Officer Mark Brooke said governments had an opportunity to make quitting support a core part of tobacco and vaping policy.
“Australians are telling us that stronger rules need to be matched with real help to quit. If someone is ready to take that step, cost or access should not stand in the way,” Mr Brooke said.
“We are calling for free nicotine replacement therapy and evidence-based smoking cessation medicines for people taking part in cessation counselling, and more accessible quit support services.”
Richard, a Lung Foundation Australia consumer, said affordable access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can make a significant difference for people trying to quit.
“Overcoming nicotine addiction is a significant challenge, but ensuring easy access to affordable NRT makes a life changing difference for individuals striving to break the habit,” he said.
“Affordable support tools such as NRT and assistance with withdrawal effects allows individuals to focus on managing cravings, health risks, and lifestyle changes without experiencing added financial strain.
“Improving access to these useful aids empowers more people to take control of their health and successfully transition to a smoke-free life.”
Associate Professor Henry Marshall, Thoracic Physician at The Prince Charles Hospital and Research Fellow at The University of Queensland Thoracic Research Centre, said nicotine dependence should be treated as a health issue.
“Quitting can be difficult, and people may need more than one attempt or more than one kind of support. People often face multiple barriers that sabotage their quit attempts. Making evidence-based treatment and professional advice easier to access will remove some of these barriers and give people practical options when they are ready to quit,” Associate Professor Marshall said.
Professor Michelle Jongenelis of the University of Melbourne said the cost of support could deter people who were motivated to quit.
“Quitting smoking should not cost more than cigarettes. Someone can be highly motivated to quit, but if the cost of evidence-based support is too high, this will act as a deterrent,” Professor Jongenelis said.
“The vast majority of people who smoke want to quit – we need to make it easier for them to do so.”
Lung Foundation Australia is calling on governments to provide free nicotine replacement therapy and cessation medicines for people participating in smoking, vaping or nicotine cessation counselling; and expand access to Quitline with digital and chat-based options that meet the needs of young people and other priority groups.
Survey details: YouGov surveyed 3,551 Australian voters online from 2 June to 6 July 2026.
Read the YouGov report here
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