Why quitting cigarettes is more than willpower

Research shows that most people who smoke have tried to quit at least once and multiple attempts are common before finally quitting for good¹. This is not a reflection of willpower. Nicotine dependence involves changes to the brain’s reward pathways, learned behavioural patterns and environmental triggers that develop over time, all of which make quitting more complex than simply deciding to stop.

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How the addictive substance in tobacco changes the brain

When a cigarette is smoked, nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, reaches the brain within seconds and triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter central to the brain’s reward and reinforcement pathways. With repeated exposure, the brain adapts by downregulating its own dopamine response, meaning more of the substance is needed to achieve the same effect. Over time, the brain comes to rely on it to maintain a sense of normalcy and this is dependence, a physiological process.²

When the body is deprived of this addictive substance, withdrawal symptoms may occur:

• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
• Anxiety
• An increased urge to smoke

Smoking temporarily relieves these symptoms, reinforcing the cycle. This pattern reflects how the brain has adapted, not a lack of willpower.²

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Behavioural conditioning

Over time, smoking is often linked to situations like your morning coffee, driving, work breaks, meals or periods of stress. Through repeated association, the brain begins to anticipate a cigarette, sometimes even before a conscious decision is made.³ This is why disrupting smoking behaviour can be difficult even when motivation to quit is high.  

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Multiple attempts are common

Research shows that most people make more than one quit attempt before achieving sustained smoking cessation.¹ Each attempt provides insight into what works and what doesn’t and this reflects behaviour change.  

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The role of motivation

It’s common to feel highly motivated at the start of a quit attempt. However, your environment influences how strong motivation feels at a given point in time. It is important you remember you’ll need more than motivation in the long run; you will need to change your behaviour to achieve your goal of quitting smoking.  

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Cessation support in Australia

A range of smoking cessation options are available in Australia and may be discussed with a healthcare professional.  They can provide further guidance on what may be appropriate for a broader cessation approach based on an individual's circumstance and medical history. ⁴

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The appropriate approach will depend on an individual’s level of nicotine dependence, medical history and personal circumstances. A healthcare professional can assist in assessing these factors and determining suitable options.

References

1. Borland R, Partos TR, Yong HH, Cummings KM, Hyland A. How much unsuccessful quitting activity is going on among adult smokers? Data from the International Tobacco Control 4-Country cohort survey. Addiction. 2012;107(3):673–682. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03685.x. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3909986/  
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Is nicotine addictive? [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): NIDA; 2020 [cited 2025]. Available from: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/nicotine-addictive  
3. Shiffman S, Dunbar M, Kirchner T, Li X, Tindle H, Anderson S, Scholl S. Smoker reactivity to cues: effects on craving and on smoking behavior. J Abnorm Psychol. 2013;122(1):264–280. doi:10.1037/a0028339. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3988583/  
4. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Changes to the regulation of vapes [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care; 2024 [cited 2025]. Available from: https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/therapeutic-vaping-goods/vaping-hub/changes-regulation-vapes