Peter Mac News

Helping patients kick tobacco 

Peter Mac Tobacco Treatment Clinic nurses Nyree and Marcelle

As we approach World No Tobacco Day (May 31), Peter Mac is proud to promote our free Tobacco Treatment Clinic.

For almost ten years the service has provided personalised support to quit smoking. Specialist Nurses Nyree Bennett and Marcelle Stewart take a gentle, judgement-free approach that has been designed with the cancer experience in mind. 

In 2025, they have already supported more than 400 patients. Some are just starting out on their quit journey, others are more advanced and needing help to stay on track. 

Treatment addresses both the physical and behavioural aspects of quitting. Extensive resources and nicotine replacement is provided for free, alongside counselling on the health benefits of quitting. 

The service supports people to quit vaping as well as smoking. 

"A lot people don't consider vaping to be as harmful as smoking, but it absolutely can be," Nyree explains. 

The process starts with a referral, at a patient’s request or after encouragement from a nurse or doctor. Patients then have an introductory appointment where they discuss their triggers for smoking and develop a personalised quit plan. 

 "People are motivated in different ways. Sometimes people will be really excited to quit from the start, and for other people it’s a slower process of finding the value in quitting. And that’s ok," Marcelle explains. 

"Many people take a few months before they begin to see the benefits, and then they start to feel more committed."

Even if people don’t quit entirely, most people reduce their intake after engaging with the service. 

Follow-up continues for 12 months, ensuring patients get help navigating the different stages of their quit journey. 

Nyree says of this approach, "we really want people to know that we are here when you need us - and sometimes when you don’t even think you need help". 

Asked what people should consider when they’re thinking about quitting, Marcelle says, "you get as many tries as you like. It's common not to succeed the first time you try to quit smoking or vaping. Each attempt is a step forward."

Accessing Peter Mac’s Quit service is easy: 

Ask one of your care team - this could be a doctor, nurse or allied health professional. 

Self-refer by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Find more information on the Quitting Smoking page on the Peter Mac website.