Free help to quit smoking is available from the pharmacists at Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair in Broadbeach. We’ll talk through your options, including nicotine replacement therapy, help you make a quit plan, and point you to Quitline or your GP for extra support. No appointment is needed; just ask at the counter.
Reviewed by Jason Markey, owner and pharmacist · Updated 7 October 2026
How can a pharmacist help me quit?
Most people find quitting easier with support than going it alone. Our pharmacists can:
- talk through the quit options available and which might suit you
- help you choose the right type and strength of nicotine replacement therapy, and show you how to use it
- help you set a quit date and make a plan for cravings and triggers
- check how you’re going and adjust things when you come back
- refer you to your GP or Quitline for extra support
Advice is free. Products are charged separately.
What is nicotine replacement therapy?
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) gives you a steady, lower dose of nicotine without the smoke, so you can deal with withdrawal while you break the habit. It comes as patches, gum, lozenges, mouth sprays and inhalators, and is available from the pharmacy without a prescription.
Many people find a patch for background cravings plus a faster-acting form, such as gum or a spray, for sudden urges works well. Your pharmacist can help you get the combination and strength right. Some NRT products are subsidised on the PBS when prescribed by a doctor; ask us about the cheapest way to get them.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Are there prescription medicines to help?
Yes. There are prescription medicines that can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They need a doctor’s assessment, so talk to your GP. The GPs at Help Medical, an independent general practice located inside our store, can see you, and we can dispense the script on the spot.
Nicotine vapes: what the rules are in Australia
Since 2024, nicotine vapes are regulated as therapeutic goods in Australia. They can’t be sold by tobacconists, vape shops or online retailers; the only lawful source is a pharmacy, and only for smoking cessation or managing nicotine dependence. Adults 18 and over can get them from a pharmacist after a short conversation; under-18s need a prescription. The TGA sets the rules on what can be supplied, and plain packaging, limited flavours and nicotine limits apply.
Vapes aren’t a first-choice way to quit, and they aren’t risk-free. If you’re thinking about one, or you already vape and want to stop, talk to our pharmacists in store: they can explain the current rules, check what suits you, and work through the other options on this page. Visit the TGA’s vaping hub for the official guidance.
Where else can I get support?
- Quitline: call 13 7848 (13 QUIT) to talk to a trained counsellor, or request a callback through quit.org.au.
- My QuitBuddy app: a free Australian Government app to track cravings, money saved and milestones.
- Your GP: for prescription options and ongoing support.
Combining support with NRT or another medicine gives you a better chance of staying smoke-free than either on its own. healthdirect has more on what to expect.
What happens to my body when I quit?
The benefits start quickly. Within days your sense of taste and smell begin to improve, within weeks your breathing and circulation get better, and over the following years your risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer keeps falling. You’ll also notice the money you save.
Do I need to book to talk about quitting?
No. Walk in any day we’re open and ask to speak to a pharmacist, or call ahead if you’d like a longer chat at a set time. While you’re here, a free check at our Health Station can give you a blood pressure baseline to track your progress.
Common questions
Do I need an appointment to talk about quitting?
No. Ask at the counter any time we’re open and a pharmacist will talk with you, or call ahead if you’d like a longer chat at a set time.
How much does nicotine replacement therapy cost?
Advice from our pharmacists is free; products are charged separately. Some nicotine replacement products are subsidised on the PBS when prescribed by a doctor, so ask us or the GPs at Help Medical about the cheapest way to get them.
Can I use a patch and gum at the same time?
Often, yes. Using a patch for steady background nicotine plus a faster-acting form such as gum, a lozenge or a mouth spray for cravings is a common approach. Ask a pharmacist to help you choose the right combination and strength.
How long do I use nicotine replacement for?
Most people use it for 8 to 12 weeks and then reduce gradually, but it varies. Come back and see us and we’ll help you plan the stepping down.
Can I use nicotine replacement if I’m pregnant?
Talk to your pharmacist, GP or midwife first. Quitting is one of the most important things you can do for your baby, and there are options that may be suitable in pregnancy. Ask us in store.
What if I slip up and have a cigarette?
It happens to most people who quit. A slip doesn’t mean you’ve failed; come and talk to us, adjust the plan if needed, and keep going. Quitline on 13 7848 can help too.
Can you help me quit vaping?
Yes. Quitting vaping is a lot like quitting smoking: nicotine replacement therapy, a quit plan and Quitline support all help with nicotine dependence from vaping. Walk in and ask one of our pharmacists.
Can I buy nicotine vapes at a pharmacy in Queensland?
Pharmacies are the only lawful source of nicotine vapes in Australia, and only for smoking cessation or nicotine dependence. Adults 18 and over can talk to a pharmacist in store about whether one is suitable; under-18s need a prescription. Our pharmacists will explain the rules and the alternatives when you come in.
Shop 81, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Phone (07) 5592 2099
Open 7 days, until 9pm on Thursdays. Opening hours and directions
This information is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your pharmacist or doctor.