Quit Smoking Helpline in Georgia

Frequently asked questions

Is there a national quitline in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia has a national toll-free quitline run by the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), reachable on 116 001. WHO recognised the NCDC in 2022 for establishing a toll-free quitline that operates seven days a week. Callers get advice and counselling on stopping tobacco use.

Source: NCDC Georgia , WHO Europe — World No Tobacco Day 2022 awards

Is help to quit smoking free in Georgia?

Calling the NCDC quitline on 116 001 is toll-free, and the "თავს ვანებებ" mobile app is free to download. According to WHO, smoking-cessation services are also available in some primary-care clinics, with costs partly covered by the national health service. Nicotine replacement therapy is not generally available through the public system, so medication costs are usually paid out of pocket.

Source: WHO — Tobacco control fact sheet: Georgia , "თავს ვანებებ" — Google Play (NCDC)

What support does the line offer?

The 116 001 line offers information and counselling for people who want to quit tobacco. NCDC has trained quitline staff and primary-care providers in brief cessation interventions using WHO methods. The service can talk through your reasons for quitting, help you plan a quit attempt, and point you to further support in the health system.

Source: NCDC Georgia , WHO Europe — World No Tobacco Day 2022 awards

What is the "თავს ვანებებ" app?

"თავს ვანებებ" (roughly "I am quitting") is a free smoking-cessation app published by the NCDC, available on Google Play. It helps users track their smoking, set a quit plan and stay motivated as they cut down or stop. The NCDC developed a tobacco-cessation app as part of its wider quit-smoking programme.

Source: "თავს ვანებებ" — Google Play (NCDC) , NCDC Georgia

Who runs the quitline and in what languages?

The quitline is run by the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), the body that leads tobacco-control policy and prevention in Georgia. The service operates in Georgian, and Russian is also widely understood in the country. The NCDC hotline 116 001 is generally reachable on weekdays until 21:00 and at weekends until 18:00.

Source: NCDC Georgia , WHO Europe — World No Tobacco Day 2022 awards