How to Get Free Nicotine Patches

Nicotine patches can double your chances of quitting smoking, according to the New York State Smokers' Quitline. The patches reduce or stop the symptoms of withdrawal and help you stop smoking. Follow these tips to determine how to get free nicotine patches.

Instructions

1. Know that every state has a quitline, staffed by counselors, and more than half of them offer free nicotine gum, patches and lozenges.

2. Contact the smokers' quitline in your state, usually run by the Health Department. New York and Colorado are two of the states that give away free nicotine patches to those who are eligible.

3. Fill out a quick questionnaire online to determine eligibility. Questions include whether you're taking medication to help you quit and whether you've received free patches before.

4. Call your state's Department of Health. Many run periodic programs aimed at getting people to quit smoking. Some may be starter kits, which include a a four-week supply of nicotine patches.

5. Get serious about quitting. Many organizations will not give free patches out to people unless they set a quit date and enroll in a smoking cessation program.

Tips & Warnings

• Some medications will interfere with nicotine patches. Talk to your doctor before using patches.

References

• New York State Smokers' Quitline
• Colorado Quitline
• Pennsylvania Medical Society

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• USA Today Article