Yes. Free phone counseling, live chat, and quitlines are proven, government-backed ways to get support while you quit, and they cost nothing. Many people combine counseling with nicotine replacement or prescription medicine, but counseling alone can still help you build a plan and stay on track. Below is what these services actually offer and how to reach them today.
A quick safety note: Quitting can bring up strong feelings, and that’s normal. But if you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time, day or night. If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or are coughing up blood, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What Counseling and Support Look Like
“Behavioral support” just means talking through your quit attempt with someone trained to help, instead of trying to figure it out alone. It comes in a few free, common forms.
- Live chat. The National Cancer Institute runs LiveHelp, an online chat where you can message a trained information specialist in real time. It is available in English and Spanish.
- Phone quitlines. A quitline connects you to a trained counselor by phone. Together you build a quit strategy, or you can just call for tips when you feel stuck.
- Group and community programs. Many local health departments, hospitals, and nonprofit groups run in-person or virtual group sessions. Availability and format vary a lot by state and city, so your state quitline is the fastest way to find out what is offered near you.
Phone Quitlines
Quitlines are free, anonymous phone counseling services. When you call, you talk with a trained counselor who can help you make a quit plan, work through cravings, or just check in. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and you will be connected to your state’s quitline. Hours and exact services vary by state. Spanish speakers can call 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569).
National Cancer Institute Counseling
The National Cancer Institute runs its own line, 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848), staffed by trained counselors who help in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time. Their LiveHelp chat runs the same hours.
Group Support
Group programs let you hear from other people going through the same thing, which some people find motivating. There is no single national group hotline the way there is for phone quitlines, so ask your state quitline, your doctor, or a local hospital wellness program what group options exist where you live.
What the Evidence Shows
The CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health says most people who use tobacco products want to quit, and the office promotes free quitlines specifically because they support that goal. CDC also runs the Tips From Former Smokers media campaign, which points people toward 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Between 2012 and 2018, that campaign helped motivate more than 16 million U.S. adults to attempt quitting, and CDC estimates about 1 million of them quit successfully.
That is real-world evidence that connecting people to free counseling and quitline resources supports quit attempts at a national scale. It does not mean counseling is designed to deliver success for any one person, and most people who quit smoking try more than once before it sticks. If you have tried counseling before and it did not work, that does not mean it will not work this time, or that a different type of support might not fit better.
Our How We Review page explains the evidence standard we hold every claim on this site to, including this one.
How to Access Free Counseling Today
- Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. This routes you straight to your state’s free quitline and counselor.
- Chat with LiveHelp online if you prefer typing to talking on the phone, or if you want support outside quitline call hours.
- Call 1-877-44U-QUIT for the National Cancer Institute’s own counseling line, available in English and Spanish.
- Ask about group options through your state quitline, your doctor, or a local hospital or health department.
- Talk to your doctor about combining counseling with nicotine replacement or a prescription cessation medicine. Our Telehealth for Smoking Cessation hub covers how virtual prescribing for these medicines works.
When Counseling and Support Groups for Quitting calls for more care
Quitline hours, languages offered, and exact services can vary by state, so what is listed here may differ slightly from what you experience when you call. Counseling is not a substitute for medical care. If you are pregnant, have a mental health condition, or take medication that could interact with nicotine replacement or cessation drugs, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any product alongside counseling. If you already live with reduced lung function or a diagnosed respiratory condition, our COPD & Respiratory Wellness hub has general, non-diagnostic education on what to watch for as you quit.
Questions readers ask about Counseling and Support Groups for Quitting
Is phone quitline counseling really free? Yes. Quitlines connected through 1-800-QUIT-NOW are free, anonymous services funded through public health programs.
Do I have to combine counseling with medication? No. Counseling can stand on its own, though many people choose to combine it with nicotine replacement therapy or a prescription medicine. That decision is best made with your doctor.
What if I don’t speak English? Spanish-language support is available through the quitline (1-855-DÉJELO-YA), the NCI counseling line, and LiveHelp chat.
What if counseling didn’t work for me before? Most people who quit smoking make several attempts first. A different format, like switching from phone to group support, or trying it alongside medication, may fit better this time.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not diagnose or treat any condition, and is not a substitute for care from a licensed healthcare provider. Smokers Lung Health Review is not a medical practice or telehealth provider. If you are experiencing chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or coughing up blood, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are having thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988.