Skip to content
Close
SEARCH
CONTACT
PHONE HOTLINE: 1.866.SD-QUITS
PHONE HOTLINE: 1.866.SD-QUITS
middle aged man smoking a cigarette

Help Others Quit

Supporting a loved one through their quit journey makes all the difference. Find FREE tips, resources and guidance to help someone you care about break free from tobacco. Together, you can help them quit for good.

Help Someone Quit
Happy Retired Couple on a Hike

Quit Today

South Dakota Quitline is a free Resource available to any state resident 13 or older. Choose from three ways to leave smoking, vaping, or chewing in the past. Quit, stay quit and breathe easy. 

Quit Today
young adult women inhaling a vape pen

Youth & Young Adults

Children and young adults are especially vulnerable to loss of brain function as a result of vaping.
Even using e-cigarette devices without nicotine can cause damage. To protect your physical and mental health, it's time to quit.

Quit Today
colorful native american dancing

Tribal Toolkit

The Tribal Tobacco Advocacy Toolkit offers Indigenous communities culturally-informed resources and tools to support tobacco-free environments while honoring traditional practices.

Access the Toolkit

Contact Us


Questions about quitting tobacco or need support? Reach out anytime—we're here to help you or your community on the journey to quit smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco.

Contact Us

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a safe, effective way to help curb cravings and ease symptoms.

Medications Without Prescriptions

Over-the-Counter Help

Some medications are available for your use over the counter at most stores and pharmacies, or you can get two to eight weeks of NRT through the South Dakota QuitLine. Choose from gum, lozenges or patches to quit smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, dipping or using nicotine pouches. When you’re ready for your quit day, start your NRT of choice for better chances of quitting for good.

Contact the QuitLine

Nicotine Gum

How to Use Nicotine Gum

If you choose to use nicotine gum, start on your quit day. Chew slowly until your mouth begins to tingle. Then rest between your cheeks and gums. While in your mouth, the gum releases nicotine, which you quickly absorb. Repeat as necessary, roughly one piece every hour or two. Do not exceed 24 pieces in 24 hours. Use for six to 12 weeks.

Gum

How to get nicotine gum

Purchase over the counter, or visit the South Dakota QuitLine to see if you’re eligible to receive NRT gum at no cost. Nicotine gum comes in 2 mg or 4 mg doses.

Nicotine Gum Side effects

  • Hiccups
  • Mild oral pain and irritation
  • Mouth sores

If the nicotine gum causes nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid heartbeat or severe oral pain, stop use immediately and contact your health care provider.

 

 

Nicotine Lozenges

How to Use Nicotine Lozenges

If you choose to use nicotine lozenges, start on your quit day. Place a lozenge into your mouth and move it between your cheeks and gums, letting nicotine absorb. Do not bite or chew the lozenge as you would hard candy — let it dissolve completely in your mouth. Avoid eating and drinking 15 minutes before and during use. Repeat as necessary, often one piece every hour or two initially. Do not exceed 20 lozenges in 24 hours. Use for as many as 12 weeks.

How to get nicotine lozenges

Purchase over the counter, or visit the South Dakota QuitLine to see if you’re eligible to receive NRT lozenges at no cost. Nicotine lozenges comes in 2 mg or 4 mg doses.

Nicotine Lozenges Side effects

  • Dry mouth
  • Hiccups
  • Mouth sores
  • Coughing
  • Heartburn
  • Headache
  • Nausea

If the nicotine lozenges cause severe symptoms, stop use immediately and contact your health care provider.

Nicotine Patches

How to Use Nicotine Patches

If you choose to use nicotine patches, start on your quit day. Apply the patch to a clean and dry area of skin located below the neck and above the waist, preferably where hair is minimal or absent. Nicotine will absorb consistently throughout the day. Replace the patch with a new one every morning, choosing a different spot each time. Gradually reduce patch strength over time, tapering off the usage over a few months.

Patches

How to get nicotine patches

Purchase over the counter, or visit the South Dakota QuitLine to see if you’re eligible to receive NRT patches at no cost. Nicotine patches comes in a variety of types and doses.

Nicotine patches Side effects

  • Skin irritation
  • Redness
  • Rash
  • Trouble sleeping

If the nicotine patches cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid heartbeat or a rash that lasts longer than 4 days, stop use immediately and contact your health care provider.

 

7 Easy Steps

ORAL CANCER SELF EXAM

Chewing tobacco puts you at risk of oral lesions, oral cancer and other cancers of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach and pancreas. If you currently chew or have chewed tobacco, take these seven steps to check for any evidence of oral cancer.
1
Head & Neck
Look at your face and neck in a mirror. Normally, the left and right sides of the face have the same shape. Check for any lumps, bumps, or swellings that are only on one side of your face.
2
Lips
Pull your lower lip down and look for sores or color changes. Then use your thumb and forefinger to feel the lip for lumps, bumps or changes in texture. Repeat this on your upper lip.
3
Neck
Press along the sides and front of the neck for tenderness or lumps.
4
Face
Examine the skin on your face for changes in color or size, sores, moles or growths.
5
Cheek
Examine your inner cheek for red, white or dark patches. Lightly pinch the inside and outside of your cheek. Gently squeeze and roll both sides between your fingers to check for any lumps or tenderness.
6
Floor of the Mouth & Tongue
Extend your tongue, and look at the top surface for color and texture. Pull your tongue forward to look at both sides for any swelling or color changes. Examine the underside of the tongue by placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Look at the floor of your mouth and the underside of your tongue for color changes, and touch the underside of your tongue to feel for any lumps or swellings.
7
Roof of the Mouth
Tilt your head back, and open your mouth wide to look for any lumps. See if the color is different from usual. Use a finger to touch the roof of your mouth to feel for abnormal lumps.

Nicotine Gum vs. Lozenges Vs. Patches

Which NRT is Right for You?

Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges give your body small doses of nicotine to take the edge off cravings and withdrawal. Using NRT can more than double your chances of quitting. The biggest difference between them is how fast they work.*

  • The nicotine patch is best for steady, all-day relief. It releases a slow, even amount of nicotine through your skin, so you put on a new one each morning and don't have to think about it.

  • Nicotine gum works fast when a craving hits, and it keeps your mouth busy. Here's how to use nicotine gum: bite down slowly until you feel a tingle, park it between your cheek and gum, and repeat until the tingle fades.

  • Nicotine lozenges also work fast, with no chewing required. Tuck one near your cheek and gum and let it slowly dissolve, but don't chew or swallow it.

  • Can't decide? Try two. Pairing the patch with gum or a lozenge covers all-day withdrawal and sudden cravings, which can make you up to four times more likely to quit. Your Quit Coach can help you find the right fit.

*Disclaimer: Withdrawal symptoms and their timing can vary from person to person, depending on the amount and duration of use, use of medications and other factors. 

TOUCH

Quit & Stay Quit

Everybody quits differently. Your quit journey is your own, and only you know what works for you. Find the method that fits into your journey to put out that cigarette, shut off the vape pen or close the tin for the last time. Start your quit journey today, and get back to your life!

 Read More
TOUCH
Phone Coaching

Phone Coaching

Get help from a Quitline phone coach. Your coach will be there for you every step of the way.

 Get Started
TOUCH
Kickstart Kit

Kickstart Kit

Kick the habit with the FREE Kickstart Kit, which ships to your door with cessation medication and the Quit Guide.

 Get Your Kit
TOUCH
Quit Guide

Quit Guide

Skip the coaching and medication for now. Start your journey with the FREE Quit Guide to quit when you are ready.

 Get the Guide