Can semaglutide help you stop smoking?

Quick answer

Semaglutide is not an approved smoking-cessation treatment, and evidence that it helps people quit is not sufficient to recommend it for that purpose. If you want to stop smoking, discuss proven support such as behavioural help and licensed cessation medicines with a healthcare professional.

Semaglutide is not authorised as a stop-smoking treatment in the UK. Early research has raised questions about effects on nicotine use, but it does not establish that semaglutide reliably reduces cravings or helps people quit. If you want to stop smoking, use established support rather than starting or increasing semaglutide for this purpose.

Why are researchers interested in semaglutide and nicotine?

Semaglutide acts on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors involved in appetite and blood sugar control. Researchers are investigating whether related signalling in the brain might also affect reward and substance use. A plausible mechanism is a reason to study a medicine, not proof of a clinical benefit.

Nicotine dependence is a treatable condition, not simply a habit or a lack of determination. Reports of less interest in cigarettes from people taking semaglutide cannot show what caused that change.

What does the evidence actually show?

An observational study using health records found an association between semaglutide use and fewer tobacco-use-disorder-related healthcare encounters in people with type 2 diabetes. It did not directly establish sustained, verified smoking cessation. Differences in health, prescribing and contact with services could influence the findings.

Randomised studies, in which treatment is allocated by chance, are needed to test whether semaglutide itself helps people stop smoking and whether any benefit outweighs harms. Trial registration is not evidence of a successful result. Evidence remains too limited to recommend it as a cessation medicine or routine add-on to quit-smoking treatment.

What can help you quit now?

A local stop-smoking service, pharmacist or GP can help you choose evidence-based support. Options include nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches with a faster-acting product, and prescription medicines such as varenicline, cytisinicline or bupropion where appropriate. Behavioural support can help you plan for triggers, cravings and setbacks.

Treatment choice depends on other medicines, health conditions and pregnancy or breastfeeding. If a quit attempt does not last, support can be adjusted without blame. You do not need to wait for research into semaglutide before trying again.

What if you worry about weight gain?

Appetite can change after stopping nicotine, and concern about weight is understandable. Discuss a manageable eating pattern, activity, sleep and support rather than imposing a restrictive diet during withdrawal. Stopping smoking remains an important health priority even if weight changes.

A weight-management medicine should only be considered for its own clinical indication after assessment, not prescribed simply to prevent weight gain during quitting. It cannot guarantee protection from weight gain.

What if you already take semaglutide?

Continue only as prescribed for its authorised indication and tell your clinician about plans to stop smoking. Do not increase it to manage cravings or assume it replaces cessation treatment. Quitting can affect the handling of some other medicines, so a medication review may be useful.

Semaglutide has its own risks, including digestive symptoms, dehydration, gallbladder problems and pancreatitis. These are not established smoking-specific effects. Severe, persistent abdominal pain needs urgent assessment. Discuss any distressing mood symptoms with a healthcare professional rather than assuming either nicotine withdrawal or semaglutide explains them.

Sources & further reading

Reviewed by

Dr Chinnadorai Rajeswaran

Specialist Endocrinologist · MBBS MRCP FRCP

Last Reviewed: November 2026

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