Quit Smoking Helpline in Japan

Frequently asked questions

Does Japan have a national stop-smoking helpline?

No. Unlike many countries, Japan does not operate a single nationwide government telephone quitline. Help to quit smoking is organised around clinics rather than a phone line: you visit a smoking-cessation outpatient service (禁煙外来) at a hospital or clinic. For information you can read, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare publishes guidance through its e-Healthnet site.

Source: e-Healthnet — 禁煙支援 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) , 厚生労働省 — たばこと健康に関する情報

How can I get help to quit smoking in Japan?

The main route is a smoking-cessation outpatient clinic (禁煙外来). You can ask your usual doctor for a referral, look for a clinic that offers the service, or speak to a pharmacist about nicotine-replacement products. A 禁煙外来 combines repeated counselling with medication over about three months, which works far better than trying to quit on willpower alone. The e-Healthnet site explains how to prepare and what to expect.

Source: 国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス — 禁煙治療 , e-Healthnet — 禁煙支援 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

What is a 禁煙外来 and is it covered by insurance?

A 禁煙外来 is a smoking-cessation outpatient clinic where a doctor treats nicotine dependence. For patients who meet the conditions, treatment is covered by public health insurance, so you pay only your usual share (typically around ¥13,000–¥20,000 in total for the 30% co-payment). The standard programme runs for 12 weeks with five appointments, combining counselling with medication.

Source: 国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス — 禁煙治療

Who is eligible for insurance-covered treatment?

To qualify for insurance-covered treatment you must be diagnosed as nicotine-dependent (a score of 5 or more on the TDS screening test), want to stop smoking right away, and give written consent to follow the standard treatment plan. People aged 35 and over also need a Brinkman index (cigarettes per day × years smoked) of 200 or more; since April 2016 there is no such requirement for those under 35. Insurance-covered treatment can normally only be claimed again after one year.

Source: 国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス — 禁煙治療 , 厚生労働省 — たばこと健康に関する情報

What information does e-Healthnet offer, and in which language?

e-Healthnet is the health information portal of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Its tobacco section covers the health effects of smoking, the benefits of quitting and how cessation support works, with practical tips such as preparing in the week before your quit date. The material is written in Japanese. The National Cancer Center publishes complementary guidance on smoking-cessation treatment and success rates.

Source: e-Healthnet — 禁煙支援 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) , 国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス — 禁煙治療