Resources to Help You Quit Smoking and Tobacco

The University of Texas at Austin supports its students, faculty and staff who want to quit using tobacco products by offering tobacco cessation programs at no or low cost.

Students may make an appointment with a UHS medical provider if they are interested in discussing the use of prescription medication to assist in quitting tobacco by calling 512-471-4955 or scheduling an appointment online.

Apps & Online Quit Programs

These resources offer helpful tips, information, social support, diversions from cravings, and reinforcement for one of the best decisions a tobacco user can make - to quit.

Apps and Programs	Web Based	App	Text / Phone
Become an Ex The EX plan teaches you how to live life without cigarettes in 3 steps. It is based on scientific research and practical advice from ex-smokers.	X
Smokefree.gov The National Cancer Institute (NCI) created Smokefree.gov to help you or someone you care about quit smoking. Smokefree.gov offers smartphone apps and texting plans, as well as resources specific to individuals with a variety identities.	X	X	X
Freedom from Smoking® Online Program Program from the American Lung Association that includes a comprehensive variety of evidence-based, proven-effective cessation techniques.	X

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

As part of a comprehensive smoking cessation program, the American Heart Association recommends NRT as an effective tool to help quit smoking. Below are a few options:

NRT Type	Description	Popular Brands
Gum or Lozenges	Type of chewing gum or lozenge that delivers nicotine to the bloodstream through tissues in the mouth.	Nicorette® (gum) and Commit® (lozenge)
Transdermal (Skin) Patches	Release nicotine through the skin	NicoDerm CQ®
Inhaler	A thin, plastic cartridge that contains a porous nicotine plug at its base. By puffing on the cartridge, a person extracts and absorbs nicotine vapor through the lining of their mouth.	Nicotrol®
Nasal Spray	An aerosol nicotine spray contained in a spray to deliver nicotine to the user through their nostrils and rapidly absorbed by the nasal membranes inside the nose.	Nicotrol® NS

There are also non-addictive prescription medications such as bupropion (Wellbutrin®, Zyban®) and Varenicline (Chantix®). Using NRTs or prescription medications like these doubles the odds of successful quitting. A combination of these methods increases success rates even more.