Smoking and Nicotine Cessation

We support you in gaining clarity
The first step toward quitting smoking or nicotine use is reflecting on your decision. You may have tried to quit before or cut down for periods. Whatever your reasons or wishes, we can support you in becoming clearer about your motivation and how to take the next step.

It is completely normal to feel uncertain when considering change. At Stoplinien, we help you gain clarity about what matters to you and about your hopes and goals for a future without smoking and nicotine.

We help you become mentally ready
A successful quit attempt often starts with a preparation phase, where you make a plan and take small steps towards the change you want. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to follow through.

For example, you can start noticing what needs your smoking or nicotine use is meeting: is it desire, habit, or craving? You can begin changing routines, limiting certain times or situations, or delaying cravings by 5–10 minutes. This helps you gain experience in managing withdrawal and being without nicotine for short periods.

Remember to acknowledge yourself when you succeed. Small rewards in the form of something enjoyable can make the process easier.

What good preparation looks like varies from person to person. For many, it takes experimentation to find what works. We can support you in finding what suits you – completely without obligation.

Reducing your consumption can be part of the preparation process.

We support you in making and following your plan
This is the phase where you turn your decision into action. You actively work on changing habits and behaviour. Your plan may need adjustments along the way – this is completely normal.

Many people benefit from setting a specific quit date and carefully planning the first few days. It can also help to tell family, friends, and colleagues about your decision so they can support you.

For many, this is the most challenging phase, as both habits and physical cravings need to be managed. That is why many choose support such as counselling and medication. We can help you understand your options so it becomes easier to get through your quit attempt.

We support you when cravings are at their strongest
Withdrawal symptoms are a normal part of quitting smoking or nicotine use. They are harmless but can be uncomfortable. Each time you get through a craving, you are one step closer to being free from addiction. Medication can ease symptoms during the most intense period.

You may also experience cravings in certain situations – for example during stress, crises, or strong emotions, both positive and negative. Social situations can also trigger cravings.

At Stoplinien, we are ready to support you when it feels most difficult. Many people find that a conversation can bring renewed energy and hope.

We support you in the long term
In this phase, the focus is on maintaining your decision and new habits. You will encounter situations where cravings reappear, and it may feel unfamiliar at first. It can help to focus on what you are gaining, rather than what you are giving up.

Lapses and relapses are a normal part of the process. They give you an opportunity to learn and strengthen your strategies. You are always welcome to contact Stoplinien again if you find it difficult to maintain your quit smoking or nicotine-free life.

We help you get back on track
Relapse can be frustrating, but almost everyone experiences it when trying to change behaviour. It is a natural part of the process.

This can be a good time to revisit what initially motivated your decision to change. We support you in getting back on track, focusing on what worked, and adjusting your plan.

You are always welcome to contact Stoplinien again if you experience a relapse.

About smoking tobacco
Smoking tobacco products include cigarettes, cigarillos, pipe tobacco, and cigars. Cigarettes are currently the most commonly used nicotine product. A cigarette consists of finely cut tobacco rolled in paper and usually includes a filter. Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 different substances – around 70 of these are carcinogenic.

What do cigarettes contain?
Cigarettes contain, among other things, nicotine, which is addictive and can affect brain development in children and adolescents. When tobacco is burned, smoke is produced that contains several thousand chemical substances. Some of these include tar and carbon monoxide, which can make it harder for the body to transport oxygen. The smoke also contains metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury, which can accumulate in the body.

How harmful is smoking?
Smoking has serious effects on health. Around 16,000 people in Denmark die each year as a result of smoking. This accounts for almost one in three deaths.

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and also increases the risk of a range of other cancers and serious diseases.

People who smoke regularly have a significantly increased risk of becoming ill due to smoking. Smoking 15 cigarettes or more per day reduces life expectancy by an average of 10–11 years compared to people who have never smoked.

How do cigarettes work?
When cigarette smoke is inhaled, the level of adrenaline in the body increases, raising blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate. Cigarette smoke also contains nicotine, which increases the release of dopamine in the brain and triggers feelings of pleasure and/or euphoria. The more a person smokes, the more tolerant the body becomes to the substances in smoke, meaning more is needed to achieve the same effect.

Cigarette overdose – what happens?
The amount of nicotine a person can tolerate without experiencing symptoms of poisoning depends on tolerance, body weight, and the way nicotine is absorbed. Signs of overdose include palpitations, restlessness, dizziness, headache, and vomiting.

What are the harmful effects of cigarettes?
In addition to lung cancer, smoking increases the risk of developing COPD, diabetes, asthma, and eye diseases. It can also lead to reduced fitness, difficulty breathing, pale or greyish skin, and reduced fertility.

Other nicotine and smoking products
There are many tobacco and nicotine products on the Danish market. Cigarettes have long been the most widely used, but in recent years several new products have emerged. These include e-cigarettes (also called vapes) and smoke-free products such as nicotine pouches and chewing tobacco.

The market is constantly evolving, and new products and variants are regularly introduced.

Snus and chewing tobacco
Snus and chewing tobacco are smokeless products placed in the mouth, where nicotine is absorbed through the mucous membrane. They contain tobacco, nicotine, and often flavourings. Snus is illegal to sell in the EU – with the exception of Sweden.

The main difference lies in their form:
• Snus is finely ground tobacco in small pouches.
• Chewing tobacco consists of coarser tobacco pieces that are lightly chewed to release nicotine.

Smokeless tobacco does not expose the lungs to smoke, but it still contains harmful substances. Use may increase the risk of:
• damage to gums and teeth
• irritation and sores in the mouth, and certain cancers of the oral cavity and pancreas
• nicotine dependence

Nicotine pouches (often called snus in Denmark)
Nicotine pouches contain nicotine but no tobacco. They are placed under the lip, where nicotine is absorbed through the oral mucosa.

Many people refer to nicotine pouches as snus, and some use slang terms such as “daus” or “skive”.

Health risks
Although nicotine pouches do not contain smoke or tobacco, they do contain nicotine, which:
• is addictive
• can affect concentration, sleep, and heart rate
• can cause anxiety and depression
• can negatively affect brain development – especially in young people

E-cigarettes and vapes
E-cigarettes and vapes heat a liquid that is then inhaled as vapour. These products do not contain tobacco and are available with or without nicotine.

They come as disposable devices or refillable units.

In Denmark, e-cigarettes may only have tobacco or menthol flavour and a maximum nicotine content of 20 mg per ml of liquid. Disposable products with, for example, fruit or candy flavours or higher nicotine content are therefore illegal.

Health risks
The vapour from e-cigarettes contains fewer harmful substances than tobacco smoke, but it is not harmless. Use may:
• irritate the airways
• affect the lungs and cardiovascular system
• lead to nicotine dependence
• increase the risk of starting to smoke regular cigarettes

The long-term effects are still not fully known.

Heated tobacco
Heated tobacco consists of small tobacco sticks that are heated in an electronic device. The heating produces an aerosol that is inhaled, and the products contain nicotine.

Health risks
Heated tobacco exposes the body to fewer harmful substances than conventional cigarettes, but still involves health risks. The products:
• contain nicotine and are addictive
• release harmful substances when heated
• can affect the heart and lungs

What is nicotine?
Nicotine is a toxic substance that the body absorbs through the lungs, the mucous membranes in the mouth, or the skin. From there, it is quickly transported via the blood to the brain and the rest of the body.

Nicotine is addictive. Once the body becomes accustomed to nicotine, it can be difficult to go without it. The earlier a person starts using tobacco or nicotine products, the stronger the addiction can become.

How nicotine affects the brain
When you use products containing nicotine, the substance quickly reaches the brain, where it affects brain chemistry and has a stimulating effect.

The brain quickly adapts to nicotine, meaning the body may begin to crave it and react when levels drop.

Nicotine can affect:
• mood and sense of well-being
• ability to handle stress
• concentration and physical calm

Cravings for nicotine can be experienced both physically and mentally. Many people find that the need for nicotine becomes a significant part of everyday life.

Over time, nicotine can alter the brain’s balance so that feelings of well-being become linked to nicotine use. This is a sign of dependence — and a natural response in the body, not a sign of weakness.

How does nicotine affect children and young people?
Nicotine affects children and young people in particular because the brain is still developing. The brain continues to develop into the mid-20s and is therefore more vulnerable to external influences.

Research suggests that nicotine use during adolescence can:
• affect brain development
• reduce concentration and learning ability
• increase the risk of anxiety and depression

Nicotine is addictive, and the earlier a person starts, the harder it can be to stop. Early use may also increase the risk of later addiction to other substances.

Treatment of nicotine dependence
Use support when you want to become nicotine-free
The most effective way to quit nicotine is by combining professional counselling with nicotine replacement products or smoking cessation medication. When you receive counselling and use nicotine replacement or cessation medication, your chances of becoming nicotine-free increase significantly — in fact, up to five times compared to relying on willpower alone.

You can get professional guidance on quitting nicotine and the correct use of products by speaking with a Stoplinien counsellor or by participating in a nicotine cessation course.

About nicotine and smoking cessation medication
There are several types of approved medication for smoking and nicotine cessation, including both prescription medicines and over-the-counter products. What they have in common is that they can reduce withdrawal symptoms and make it easier to stop smoking or using other nicotine products.

The Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) assesses that the benefits of quitting smoking and nicotine use far outweigh the possible side effects of using approved medication as part of the quitting process. The medication can be used for withdrawal from all nicotine products, including cigarettes, snus, chewing tobacco, nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco.

Recommendations for adults
The Danish Health Authority recommends approved over-the-counter or prescription medication for adults over 18 who experience significant symptoms of nicotine dependence.

Recommendations for young people under 18
Young people under 18 with clear signs of nicotine dependence, who have previously tried to quit without medical support, may use approved over-the-counter medication for nicotine withdrawal. Some products are approved from the age of 12 or 15, while others are only approved for adults. Use of over-the-counter medication in children and adolescents under 15 should always be done in consultation with a doctor. A doctor should also be involved if medication approved only for adults is used.

Both over-the-counter and prescription medication should be used for a limited period in accordance with the product instructions. After this, use should be gradually reduced.

How to get guidance on smoking and nicotine cessation medication
If you want more information about medical options, you can talk to your doctor or staff at the pharmacy. They can advise on product choice, correct dosage, use, and tapering.

Call a Stoplinien advisor on +45 80 31 31 31 or send a text message with the word “nicotine-free” to 1231 – and we will call you back within three working days.

Opening hours

Stoplinien is open on weekdays:

• Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

• Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Stoplinien is closed on public holidays, Constitution Day (5 June) and International Workers’ Day (1 May).

A combination of professional counselling and approved nicotine cessation medication increases the chance of a successful quit attempt.

Tobacco smoking is the single most harmful factor for public health in Denmark.

Smoking increases the risk of premature death and a wide range of diseases — especially lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease. In addition, smoking can worsen the prognosis of certain diseases, particularly cancer. Even low levels of tobacco use are associated with an increased risk of disease.

Each year, around 16,000 people in Denmark die as a result of smoking. This means that nearly one in three deaths can be attributed to smoking.

It is estimated that up to half of all regular smokers will die from a smoking-related disease. People who smoke 15 cigarettes or more per day live on average 10–11 years shorter than people who have never smoked. Smoking is therefore a major reason why life expectancy in Denmark lags behind that of other countries.

Health effects of nicotine use
Nicotine is a toxic substance that is absorbed into the body through the lungs, mucous membranes, and skin. From there, it is rapidly transported via the blood to the brain and the rest of the body.

Nicotine is particularly harmful to children and young people because it can affect brain development. The brain continues to develop throughout adolescence and is, for most people, not fully developed until around the age of 25. Nicotine use during this period can cause lasting damage to the brain, reduce concentration ability, and increase the risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

At the same time, nicotine is highly addictive, and once use has been established, it can be difficult to stop.