Smoking Addiction

Smoking addiction, or nicotine addiction, happens when someone becomes reliant on nicotine from tobacco products like cigarettes. It’s tricky because nicotine is incredibly addictive. Quitting can be tough as people deal with both physical cravings and a strong mental urge to smoke, even though they know it’s bad for them.

Common signs and symptoms of
smoking addiction

These signs often show how nicotine can really get a hold on you, both physically and mentally.

What you may not be aware of about
smoking addiction...

1

People with mental illness
tend to smoke a lot more
than those without it 

2

Around 32% of Australians
with mental illness smoke
cigarettes

3

In people aged 14 and over,
males were more likely to
smoke daily than females

4

People aged 50–59 were
the most likely age group to
smoke daily

What the research says
about smoking

Smoking addiction isn’t just about nicotine—it’s about the whole experience. People often light up to handle stress, beat boredom, or fit in socially. Understanding these reasons is key to helping someone quit effectively.

When it comes to quitting smoking, the best results come from combining medications with behavioural support. Medications like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline, and bupropion can help curb cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms. But these work best when paired with support from Quitline counsellors, digital health tools, or self-help resources. Proper education on how to use these medications and sticking to the treatment plan can really boost the chances of success.

One of the biggest strengths of this study is that it’s based on real-world Quitline counselling sessions. This gives a genuine picture of what actually happens in practice, rather than in a controlled research setting. However, some clients might not have been entirely open about their experiences. Plus, there wasn’t detailed info on the counsellors’ training, and they didn’t follow up on whether clients actually quit smoking. While the time spent on each topic wasn’t tracked, it seems the quality of counselling matters more than the length of the sessions.

This study is particularly relevant for Australia, thanks to the consistency of Quitline services across the states. It sets the stage for more in-depth research, like looking into how client engagement affects their success in quitting. Despite a few limitations, the findings highlight the importance of combining education with pharmacotherapy to boost smoking cessation outcomes.

Looking at real-world Quitline sessions helps us understand the counselling process and what clients really need and expect. The findings show how crucial it is to combine education with medication. As digital health tools become more advanced, it’s worth exploring new ways to support people who might not want to use Quitline.

This first independent analysis of Quitline counselling sessions in Australia found that counsellors provide tailored, evidence-based help. Clients mainly want to know about the practicalities and safety of medications. These insights can improve current practices, enhance self-help tools, and inspire new approaches, especially for those who don’t want to engage with Quitline. Further research into Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) in Quitline conversations could offer even more practical tips for supporting smoking cessation.

Tips for managing smoking addiction

Our Psychologists are highly qualified with Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. They
use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), the gold standard for many psychological issues, along with
other evidence-based treatments like Mindfulness and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).