Croatia Quitline — Bijeli telefon

Frequently asked questions

Is there a national quitline in Croatia?

Yes. Croatia has a free national stop-smoking line, the Bijeli telefon (White Phone), on 0800 7999. It is operated by the Ministry of Health (Ministarstvo zdravstva) and is open to anyone who wants advice on quitting smoking. Call-centre staff also point callers towards their family doctor or a local public-health institute for ongoing help.

Source: Ministarstvo zdravstva — Bijeli telefon , Zavod za javno zdravstvo — besplatni telefon za odvikavanje od pušenja

Is help to quit smoking free in Croatia?

Yes. The 0800 7999 line is toll-free, so calls cost nothing and are anonymous. Smoking-cessation advice from your family-medicine doctor and counselling at county public-health institutes are part of the public health system. The line itself was established by the Ministry of Health together with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) precisely so that this help is available at no charge.

Source: Ministarstvo zdravstva — Bijeli telefon , Zavod za javno zdravstvo — besplatni telefon za odvikavanje od pušenja

What support does the Croatia quit line offer?

Call-centre staff give brief, practical advice on stopping smoking — what to expect, how to handle cravings and how quitting affects the body. They do not replace medical treatment but signpost callers to the right service, referring people to family-medicine doctors or to county public-health institutes (zavodi za javno zdravstvo) when more structured help is needed.

Source: Zavod za javno zdravstvo — besplatni telefon za odvikavanje od pušenja , Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo — Služba za ovisnosti

Where can I get in-person help to quit smoking in Croatia?

Your family-medicine doctor (liječnik obiteljske medicine) is usually the first point of contact and can advise on treatment. Beyond that, the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) and the county public-health institutes (zavodi za javno zdravstvo) across Croatia run counselling on tobacco and other addictions through their addiction services. The 0800 7999 line can direct you to the institute nearest you.

Source: Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo — Služba za ovisnosti , Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo — Prestanak pušenja

Who runs the line and in what language?

The Bijeli telefon (0800 7999) is run by the Ministarstvo zdravstva (Ministry of Health). The same White Phone service also handles health-rights questions and e-appointment queries on separate numbers, and the smoking-cessation line is answered in Croatian on weekdays, generally from 8:00 to 16:00.

Source: Ministarstvo zdravstva — Bijeli telefon