Smoking Cessation Programs Covered by the Health Basket

A variety of personalized smoking cessation options are available for people who want to quit smoking. These range from personal support by a physician or professional smoking cessation counselor to group workshops, either in person or online. All options are available at no cost and are based on proven methods that significantly increase the chances of success. 

Getting information from HMOs

For more information, it is recommended to speak with your family physician or contact your HMO in one of the following ways:

• HMO Clalit by phone *2700 or Clalit website
• HMO Maccabi by phone *3555 or Maccabi website
• HMO Meuhedet by phone *3833 or Meuhedet website
• HMO Leumit by phone *507 or Leumit website
• Israel Defense Forces (IDF) - by phone *6800 or you can fill out a form and a representative will contact you

Available programs

Personal telephone support by a professional smoking cessation counselor

• A service provided by some HMOs and by the Ministry of Health National Smoking Cessation Hotline *6800

• The process can be completed at your own pace from anywhere, through a personal conversation with a counselor tailored specifically to your schedule and lifestyle 

• The program consists of 6 weekly conversations lasting 20–30 minutes. The conversations provide practical tools, knowledge, and a personalized smoking cessation plan 

Group support 

• You can join professional smoking cessation workshops, either in person or online, offered through HMOs.

• During 8 weekly sessions lasting one and a half hours each, participants receive practical tools, knowledge, support, and a nonjudgmental environment for shared success

What are the benefits of personal or group support? 

• The first stage focuses on preparing for smoking cessation 

• During the sessions, psychological and behavioral aspects as well as physiological aspects of the smoking cessation process are addressed, using a variety of tools and practical advice 

• After quitting smoking, the focus is on developing skills to maintain smoking cessation over time

Medication

Personal and group support can be combined with medication treatments and nicotine replacement therapy.

Counseling through the hotline

To receive counseling from smoking cessation counselors about a suitable program, you can contact the National Smoking Cessation Hotline:

• Online - online form 

• By phone - call *6800, Sunday through Thursday, between 08:00 and 20:00

Cost

• Workshops and personal support are provided free of charge

  • Program participants are eligible for an 85% discount on medication treatments (prescription medications and nicotine replacement therapy) for smoking cessation, in coordination with and under the guidance of family physicians

Age requirements

• People over age 18 can join group workshops 

• People under age 18 must register for personal telephone support. For more information, contact your family physician

Available languages

• At the Ministry of Health hotline, personal counseling services are available in English, Russian, and Arabic 

• HMOs provide simultaneous translation into Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, English, and Amharic through the translation hotline

• HMOs also provide personal counseling and workshops in various languages. For more information, contact your family physician or your HMO's service center

Where do the workshops take place?

• In-person smoking cessation workshops are held throughout the country 

• All HMOs offer the option of participating in online workshops from a computer or mobile device

Additional questions and answers about nicotine addiction and smoking cessation