Life has just got easier for smokers wanting to kick the habit - next month nicotine replacement patches and gum will be cheaper.
Under the current subsidy one month's supply of nicotine replacement therapy costs $10, next month it will cost $5 for the first four weeks, $10 for the second four weeks.
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Mary McCulloch said today that subsidies for nicotine patches and gum would be increased on November 1.
"By lowering the cost of nicotine replacement therapy we are giving smokers the best possible chance to quit smoking," Ms McCulloch said in a statement.
"If these products were not subsidised it would cost those wanting to quit up to $125 a month to buy them."
After November 1 all unexpired nicotine replacement therapy exchange cards can be redeemed from a pharmacist for the new co-payment price of $5 per product. Any existing $10 exchange cards will be redeemed at the new prices.
The subsidised nicotine patches and gum programme is delivered through Quitline, or by registered smoking cessation providers in the community.
Since the Quitline programme started 66,630 people have registered as wanting to quit. On average 1400 people a month access nicotine replacement therapy through health providers.
There are about 700,000 smokers in New Zealand and around 4700 New Zealanders die early from smoking-related illnesses each year.
- NZPA
Nicotine replacement therapy to get cheaper
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