Free samples of a quit-smoking pill could make more people consider quitting

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-05-09 01:00

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Providing smokers with a sample of quit-smoking medication varenicline without any strings attached could make it more likely that they quit smoking, according to US research. The team investigated how medication sampling - providing people with small samples of medication with little instruction and no obligation - can increase take-up of the drugs. The researchers recruited 651 smokers and randomised them to either receive four weeks' supply of varenicline or nicotine replacement therapy, while some were just given a referral to a quitting hotline. After six months, the researchers say those given the varenicline sample were more likely to be off the smokes smoking or smoking less than before, compared to the hotline referral group, and they say a varenicline sample appeared more effective than a nicotine replacement therapy sample too.