Stop smoking specialist consultation: how to find one, what to expect, and what it costs
Free on the NHS in the UK. How to find a local Stop Smoking Service, what happens in a session, and when to see a specialist over your GP.
The scientific basis on quitting smoking was reviewed on a voluntary basis by Pr. Bertrand Dautzenberg , a tobacco specialist, in order to rule out gross, potentially dangerous errors. It reflects positions commonly shared by health professionals and health agencies, without always corresponding exactly to his thinking or his practice. He is not the author of this text; he has only carried out a vigilance review of it.
You tried alone, it did not stick. Your GP gave you patches but it is not enough. It may be time to see a stop smoking specialist — a healthcare professional trained specifically in tobacco dependence. Here is what to know: who they are, where to find one, what it costs, and what really happens in a session.
What exactly is a stop smoking adviser?
What it costs (in the UK)
| Type of consultation | Cost | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| NHS Stop Smoking Service | Free | Local service, drop-in or by appointment |
| GP appointment | Free | NHS-funded |
| Pharmacy stop smoking adviser | Free | Many pharmacies host trained advisers |
| Hospital tobacco clinic | Free | For specific patient groups (cardiac, pulmonary, pregnant) |
| Private smoking cessation clinic | 50-150 GBP/session | Not NHS-funded, by choice |
Where to find a stop smoking adviser
1. NHS Quit Smoking — 0300 123 1044
2. NHS Better Health website
The official NHS Better Health "Quit smoking" page links to local service postcode finders and the NHS Quit Smoking app.
3. Your local pharmacy
Many UK community pharmacies host trained stop smoking advisers. Walk in and ask. Particularly accessible in England (NHS Community Pharmacy Smoking Cessation Service).
4. Your GP surgery
Most GP practices either run their own stop smoking clinic or refer to the local service. Useful if you need a medication review (varenicline, cytisine, bupropion).
5. Hospital tobacco clinics
NHS Trusts increasingly offer inpatient and outpatient tobacco clinics, especially in cardiology, respiratory, maternity and oncology departments. Following the NHS Long Term Plan, every smoker admitted to hospital should be offered support to quit.
What happens in a session
First session (20-60 min)
-
Smoking history
how long, how many, what products, what previous attempts.
-
Fagerstrom test
6 questions measuring your physical nicotine dependence.
-
Mental health check (anxiety, depression).
-
Clinical check
blood pressure, exhaled CO measurement (often), questions on your medical history.
-
Personalised plan
choice of strategy (NRT, varenicline, cytisine, bupropion, vape, support alone), goals, quit date.
Follow-up sessions (15-30 min)
Total duration
Follow-up lasts on average 6 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer if dependence is strong or if there are slips. No fixed duration: it adapts to you.
Stop smoking specialist or GP: who should you see?
| Situation | Rather GP | Rather specialist service |
|---|---|---|
| First attempt, moderate dependence | OK | OK |
| Several past failures | Yes | |
| Strong dependence (Fagerstrom 7+) | Yes | |
| Psychiatric comorbidity | Yes | |
| Heart or lung disease | Yes | |
| Pregnancy | Yes (specialist midwife ideal) | |
| Just need a prescription for patches | OK |
Specialist tobacco clinics: an underused option
Several NHS Trusts run dedicated stop smoking clinics, often attached to a hospital or community service. Free, multi-professional support (nurse + psychologist + pharmacist + dietitian). Worth searching for in your area.
In United Kingdom
Your questions
-
Do I need a GP referral to see a stop smoking adviser?
No. You can usually self-refer to NHS Stop Smoking Services online or by phone. Your GP can refer you too if you prefer. -
How many sessions on average?
6 to 12 sessions over 6-12 weeks for most people. More if needed. The first ones are spaced 1-2 weeks apart, then we spread them out. -
Can the stop smoking adviser prescribe medication?
Specialist trained nurses and pharmacists can prescribe NRT and, in many services, varenicline and bupropion under patient group directions. For full prescriptions outside that, your GP signs them. -
What if I have not registered with a GP?
NHS Stop Smoking Services are usually accessible without GP registration. Some Trusts may ask you to register for follow-up medication. -
Does telehealth work for stopping smoking?
Yes, many local services offer phone or video sessions. Convenient for follow-up, especially in rural areas. The first session can also be remote. -
Is the service really free?
The appointments are free. NRT and medication go through the standard NHS prescription system (charge or exemption). In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free.
sources
NHS Better Health, Quit smoking — Local Stop Smoking Services.
National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT), Standard Treatment Programme.
NICE, Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence (NG209), 2021.
NHS England, NHS Long Term Plan — tobacco dependence treatment in hospitals, 2019.
Public Health England / OHID, Models of delivery for stop smoking services.
related reading
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