Quit Smoking Helpline in Hungary

Frequently asked questions

Is there a national quitline in Hungary?

Yes. Hungary has a national stop-smoking telephone service on the green number 80 442044, dialled as 06-80-44-20-44 within the country. It is run by the smoking-cessation methodological centre based at the Országos Korányi Pulmonológiai Intézet (National Korányi Pulmonology Institute). The line has operated free of charge across the country since 2012.

Source: Országos Korányi Pulmonológiai Intézet — Dohányzásról való leszokás támogatás , Egészségvonal — Leszokás a dohányzásról

Is help to quit smoking free in Hungary?

Yes. Calls to the green line 80 442044 (06-80-44-20-44) are free from anywhere in Hungary, and there is no charge for the call-back counselling programme. The Hungarian government health portal describes it as a freephone green line (zöld szám) that can be reached at no cost from any part of the country.

Source: Egészségvonal — Leszokás a dohányzásról

What support does the Hungarian line offer?

It is a call-back counselling service. You leave your name and phone number on the answering system, and a trained cessation counsellor calls you back, normally within a few working days. The support then continues as a structured programme of about six weeks, with short weekly calls that use evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural techniques to help change smoking habits.

Source: Országos Korányi Pulmonológiai Intézet — Dohányzásról való leszokás támogatás , Egészségvonal — Minimálintervenció a leszokástámogatásban

When can I call the Hungary quitline?

The green number 80 442044 (06-80-44-20-44) can be called 24 hours a day, every day of the year, from anywhere in Hungary. Because it works as a call-back service, you can leave your details on the answering system at any time and a counsellor will phone you back during working hours.

Source: Országos Korányi Pulmonológiai Intézet — Dohányzásról való leszokás támogatás , Egészségvonal — Leszokás a dohányzásról

Who runs the service, and is in-person help available?

The telephone service is run by the methodological centre at the Országos Korányi Pulmonológiai Intézet (National Korányi Pulmonology Institute). Alongside the phone line, pulmonary care clinics (tüdőgondozó) across Hungary offer face-to-face individual and group cessation support, and your doctor can advise on stop-smoking medication. Counselling on the line is provided in Hungarian.

Source: Országos Korányi Pulmonológiai Intézet — Dohányzásról való leszokás támogatás , Egészségvonal — Minimálintervenció a leszokástámogatásban