Quitting smoking 'cold turkey'

What exactly does 'cold turkey' mean? It usually means stopping smoking all at once rather than gradually cutting down to no cigarettes.

Many people, when they say “I went cold turkey", mean they quit suddenly and they quit without the help of stop smoking medications like nicotine patch or gum or prescribed tablets.

Whichever method you choose, studies show that quitting smoking using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or prescribed tablets increases the likelihood of success. If you add support from Quitline into the mix, you've got an even better chance. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best approach for you.

If you feel like you've had enough of of smoking and want to stop immediately – go for it! Sometimes people who quit for good just stop on the spot. 

If quitting all at once feels too big a step, then cutting down and quitting one step at a time may be a way for you to start. When you take it step by step, quitting becomes more doable. For tips on how to quit one step at a time, read our article on cutting down to quit.

Please note, this information is for general use only.  Please consult your health professional for further advice.  

If you would like to provide feedback, please contact quit@quit.org.au

Last updated February 2024