Quit Tobacco

Quitting tobacco improves your health and reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and many other illnesses. Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, use chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes (vaping), free supportive services can help you quit.

If you have tried to quit before and have not been successful, don't give up! Tobacco dependence is a chronic disease, most smokers make multiple quit attempts before succeeding, and many smokers require repeat intervention. 

Click here to go back to the Tobacco Control Program page.

When and where is this service offered?

Kick It California: Kick It CA provides free services to help you quit smoking, vaping, or chew. Quit counseling is easy, convenient, and has been proven to double smokers’ chances of quitting for good. Services are available in multiple languages.

  • Telephone Counseling: Free telephone counseling is available through Kick It CA.        Free, personal, confidential advice from Quit Coaches, in multiple languages.
    • English: 1-800-300-8086
    • Spanish: 1-800-45-NO-FUME (1-800-456-6386)
    • Vape Help: 1-844-8-NO-VAPE (1-844-866-8273)
    • Tobacco Chewers: 1-800-844-CHEW (1-800-844-2439)
  • Text Messaging: Receive texts that are tailored to help at critical points along the way. You can also text questions about your quit process.
    • English: Text "Quit Smoking" to 66819  or Text "Quit Vaping" to 66819            English Text Registration Form: Quit Smoking  Quit Vaping
    • Spanish: Texto "dejar de fumea" al 66819 or Texto "no vapear" al 66819
  • No Butts Mobile App: Want help to quit smoking while you’re on the go? The KIC mobile app offers quick and tailored help. The app has helpful features like logging your smoking triggers or reminders to keep you motivated.

Quit Tobacco Classes: Local quit tobacco classes are currently unavailable.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): You may qualify for NRT through your insurance. In most cases, Medi-Cal members can also get quitting aids (such as patches, lozenges, or gum) from their pharmacy free of charge, with a prescription from their doctor.

Quit Vaping Texting Program: The THIS IS QUITTING texting program is sponsored by The Truth Initiative and is tailored to youth and young adults to provide age-appropriate support about quitting. Youth and young adults can text "DITCHVAPE" to 88709. Parents and other adults looking to help young people quit should text "QUIT" to (202) 899-7550.

FAQS

You may qualify for NRT through your health insurance. In most cases, Medi-Cal members can get FDA-Approved medications through Medi-Cal Rx, including free NRT (such as patches, lozenges, or gum) from their pharmacy free of charge, with a prescription from their doctor. If you have Medi-Cal insurance, please talk with your doctor about getting the appropriate quit aid and/or medication.

Pregnant smokers may also qualify for a free two-week starter kit of nicotine patches sent directly to their home. To see if you call qualify, call Kick It California at 1-800-300-8086 or click here to register online.

All of the services listed on this page are 100% FREE for adults and youth who live in California. No insurance information is required and all information is confidential.

Free telephone counseling through Kick It California is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Counselors are available weekdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or sign up 24/7 online.

  • English: 1-800-300-8086
  • Spanish: 1-800-45-NO-FUME (1-800-456-6386)
  • Chinese: 1-800-838-8917
  • Korean: 1-800-556-5564
  • Vietnamese: 1-800-778-8440

E-cigarettes are not approved by the FDA as a quit smoking aid. So far, the research shows there is limited evidence that e-cigarettes are effective for helping smokers quit, and stay quit. There are other proven, safe, and effective methods for quitting smoking. View the seven FDA approved medications for tobacco cessation.