FAQs & Resources

Yes, most likely. The SC Tobacco Quitline offers FDA-approved non-prescription quit medications, including the nicotine patch, gum, or lozenge. We also offer combination therapy to improve quit success.

People who are under the age of 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with some medical issues will be referred to their doctor for the use of FDA-approved quit medications.

No, insurance isn't required for enrollment in the SC Tobacco Quitline. If your health insurance plan provides additional quit benefits, you may be referred to your health insurance provider. Follow up with your coach if you have more questions.

Relapse is perfectly normal. Quitting is hard work, and the pull of nicotine addiction can be overpowering. No one knows this better than our coaches; talk to them so that they can help you overcome this hurdle. Your coach has a range of strategies and tools to help with slip-ups.

Be kind to yourself and remember that you are on a journey. Detours may happen along the way, but we are here to help you get back on track. Even if you relapse after your program has ended, just re-enroll. We'll pick up where we left off.

Quitting nicotine can be isolating, and physical withdrawals are very real. Take friends and family members who quit seriously and be there to support them through the ups and downs, for as long as it takes, even if their journey isn't perfect. Just remember that what they need most from you is support, not nagging.

Nicotine in any form is not safe. It puts stress on your heart, increases mental stress, reduces effectiveness of mental and behavioral health medications, and causes addiction.

No health insurance? No problem –we can still help. We help all South Carolinians regardless of insurance status, but extra help is available for people who have no health insurance or who are "underinsured" with up to 5 coaching calls and, for most uninsured or underinsured participants, up to 12 weeks of free non-prescription quit medications.

No. SC Tobacco Quitline services in South Carolina are completely free.

Yes! Any SC Healthy Connections Medicaid member can enroll with the SC Tobacco Quitline. In fact, the SC Tobacco Quitline originally began with Medicaid and uninsured population services. Talk to a coach and find the program that best meets your needs. Enroll and we will send a 2-week starter kit of non-prescription quit medications (gum, patch, or lozenge). You will need to talk to your SC Healthy Connections provider to keep using the right medication for you. Full benefit SC Healthy Connections Medicaid members can get any FDA-approved prescription and/or non-prescription quit medication with no copay. And your provider does not have to get prior authorization to prescribe these products for you. Be sure to let your coach know that you are a member of SC Healthy Connections Medicaid.

Our coaches are highly trained specialists who are passionate about supporting you on your journey to quit. Many of our coaches are successful quitters themselves who have counseling and behavioral health backgrounds. We never judge; we are here to help.

When you call the SC Tobacco Quitline, you will speak directly to a coach who will register you for services and answer any questions.

Quitlines are tobacco treatment support programs available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. Most quitlines are reached by calling the national toll-free number 1-800-QUIT-NOW or by texting 'READY' to 34191 (depending on the state or territory). Quitlines offer personalized quit coaching calls, online support, and text support. Most quitlines offer FDA-approved non-prescription quit medications. Get more information about quitlines or find a map of state quitlines. 

The SC Tobacco Quitline is open year-round: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are closed on:

• Independence Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• ½ day Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• ½ day New Year’s Eve
• Late open on New Year’s Day (to help people with their resolution to live tobacco-free).

Since launching in August 2006, the SC Tobacco Quitline has been managed by the South Carolina Department of Public Health (formerly the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control) with generous state funding support. The daily operations and services of the SC Tobacco Quitline are contracted through the SC Division of Procurement Services through a competitive bid process. SC's current vendor is RVO Health, LLC (a joint venture company with former vendor, Optum).