Getting a cessation medication prescription is easier than most people expect. This is the specific script and preparation that gets you out the door with a plan.

Who can prescribe

  • Primary care clinician (family doctor, internist, nurse practitioner)
  • Pediatrician (for older teens under supervised programmes)
  • Telehealth service (many US insurers include cessation-focused telehealth at no copay)
  • State quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW routes to your state; many can prescribe or coordinate)
  • NHS Stop Smoking Services in the UK (free)
  • Employer wellness clinic in some workplaces

What to bring

  1. Your daily nicotine intake. Multiply device mg/mL by mL per day. A one-Juul-a-day habit is ~35 mg/day.
  2. Your quit history. Previous attempts, methods tried, what worked, when you relapsed.
  3. Your medical history. Specifically: seizure disorder, eating disorder, mental health treatment, heart disease, kidney function, pregnancy status.
  4. Current medications. Especially antidepressants, MAOIs, and psychiatric medications.
  5. A tentative quit date. One to two weeks out.

The script

"I'm quitting vaping and I'd like to discuss whether a cessation medication is appropriate. I use [device] at [strength], about [amount] per day. I've tried [previous methods]. I'm thinking about [quit date]. Can we talk about [varenicline / bupropion / NRT] and pick something?"

What the clinician will ask

  • Any history of seizures? (rules out bupropion)
  • Any history of depression or mood instability? (guides varenicline conversation)
  • Kidney or liver problems? (dose adjustments)
  • Are you pregnant or trying to conceive? (see the pregnancy pillar)
  • What other medications are you on?

Have a rough answer ready for each.

Insurance and cost

  • US private insurance (ACA): cessation medications and counselling covered at no copay.
  • Medicaid: covers cessation medications and counselling.
  • Uninsured US: state quitlines can help, and generics (bupropion, varenicline) are inexpensive.
  • UK: NHS Stop Smoking Services dispense medications and NRT free.

After the appointment

  1. Start the medication as instructed (varenicline and bupropion begin 1-2 weeks before quit day).
  2. Add behavioural support — this stacks with medication.
  3. Write a five-minute craving plan.
  4. Clear devices from your environment before quit day.
  5. Tell one person.

The medication does the pharmacology; the plan does the rest.