Quit Smoking or Vaping in Lexington, KY

The brick main house and covered porch at Ashland in Lexington.

Video visits for patients who are in Kentucky at the time of the visit. Read the full guide: How to Quit Smoking or Vaping: What Actually Works.

For general educational purposes only, not a substitute for specific medical advice. Consult with a licensed provider before implementing any adjustments to your treatment regimen.

Smoking and vaping in Lexington and Kentucky

CDC PLACES model-based estimate of adults in Fayette County who currently smoke cigarettes (crude prevalence; 95% CI 13.5%-17.3%). This is a county-level estimate: 15.4% of adults (2022 BRFSS data (PLACES 2024 release)) ^[1]
CDC PLACES model-based estimate of Fayette County adults ever told they have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a lung disease mostly caused by smoking (95% CI 6.9%-8.5%). County-level estimate: 7.7% of adults (2022 BRFSS data (PLACES 2024 release)) ^[2]
Kentucky adult cigarette smoking rate, ranked 48th among states (U.S. value 11.6%). Statewide figure: 17.2% of adults (2024 (CDC BRFSS)) ^[3]
Share of Kentucky adults who use e-cigarettes or other vaping products daily or some days, ranked 46th (U.S. value 8.0%). Statewide figure: 10.7% of adults (2024 (CDC BRFSS)) ^[4]
Kentucky high school students who used an electronic vapor product in the past 30 days (U.S. value 16.8%). Statewide figure: 19.7% of high school students (2023 (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System)) ^[5]
Lexington-Fayette passed Kentucky's first smoke-free ordinance (council vote 11-3, effective July 1, 2003; upheld by the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2004; e-cigarettes added in 2014). University of Kentucky reports that Fayette County's smoking rate fell nearly 32% after the law, about 16,500 fewer smokers, with an estimated $21 million in annual health care savings: Smoking rate down nearly 32%; ~16,500 fewer smokers; ~$21 million/year saved (June 30, 2023 (20-year anniversary)) ^[6]
Only 44 Kentucky municipalities have comprehensive 100% smoke-free workplace ordinances, covering about 20.9% of Kentuckians. Lexington-Fayette alone covers 7.16% of the state's population, the largest share of any community on the list: 44 communities, ~20.9% of Kentuckians covered; Lexington-Fayette = 7.16% (Updated January 1, 2026) ^[7]
In the state quitline's latest evaluation, 31% of Quit Now Kentucky phone-coaching participants had quit tobacco seven months after enrolling, and 35% of those who completed five or more coaching calls had quit. 1,979 people completed a phone intake from July 2023 through June 2024; the survey had a 20% response rate. Statewide figure: 31% quit rate (35% with 5+ calls); 1,979 phone enrollees (July 2023-June 2024 enrollees (report dated May 2025)) ^[8]

Where to get help in and around Lexington

These local and state programs are free or low-cost places to start. Details can change, so check the program’s site before you go.

Quit Now Kentucky: Free statewide quitline run by the Kentucky Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program: one-on-one coaching by phone, online chat, text or email for cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, dip and chew; available 24/7; free quit-smoking medications (patches, gum, lozenges) for many callers; no provider referral needed. Spanish line: 1-855-DEJELO-YA ((855) 335-3569). Phone: 1-800-QUIT-NOW ((800) 784-8669); text QUITNOW to 333888. Website ^[9]
My Life, My Quit (ages 17 and under): Free, confidential quit-vaping and quit-tobacco coaching for Kentucky teens by text, phone or online chat, available 24/7 (five coaching sessions). Phone: (855) 891-9989; text START MY QUIT to 36072. Website ^[10]
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department Tobacco Cessation and Control Program: Freedom From Smoking classes (the American Lung Association program), offered with the Bourbon County Health Department and community partners; staff help people get started quitting and can explain insurance coverage for quit medications and counseling. Phone: (859) 288-2377. Website ^[11]
Kentucky CancerLink: Free in-person quit-smoking classes in the Lexington area (listed by UK HealthCare's Markey Cancer Center). Phone: 859-309-1700. Website ^[12]
UK HealthCare Markey Cancer Center CARES Tobacco Treatment Program: For anyone receiving cancer care at Markey: screening, a personalized quit or cut-back plan with a tobacco treatment specialist, in-person or phone counseling, medication advice, and access to clinical trials. Markey patients can also text MARKEY to 47848 for SmokefreeTXT. Phone: Ask your Markey care team; UK HealthCare main line 859-257-1000. Website ^[12]

Rules and coverage worth knowing

KRS 205.618 (amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 179, effective April 14, 2026) requires Kentucky Medicaid and its managed care plans to cover all FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications and USPSTF-recommended counseling (individual, group, telephone). Plans cannot require counseling to get medication, limit the number of quit attempts, or charge copays or deductibles (unless federal law requires it). Prior authorization is allowed only for treatment longer than U.S. Public Health Service guidelines recommend or for more than two quit attempts in 12 months. ^[13]
KRS 304.17A-168 (effective for plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023) puts the same rules on health benefit plans regulated by Kentucky: coverage of all FDA-approved quit medications and recommended counseling with no copays or deductibles, no annual or lifetime quit-attempt limits, and prior authorization only past guideline duration or after more than two attempts in 12 months. ^[14]
Under a Kentucky Board of Pharmacy Tobacco Cessation Therapy Protocol (v3, approved May 28, 2025, authorized by 201 KAR 2:380), trained pharmacists at pharmacies that have a signed protocol with a Kentucky physician or APRN can start nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion SR or varenicline, up to a 30-day supply at a time. Pregnant patients are excluded and referred to their primary care or OB/GYN provider. Not every pharmacy takes part. ^[15]
Kentucky has no comprehensive statewide smoke-free law (the American Lung Association's 2026 report gives the state an F on smokefree air), so protection depends on local ordinances. Lexington-Fayette's comprehensive ordinance covers workplaces and enclosed public places and includes e-cigarettes (comprehensive version November 2008; e-cigarette amendment enacted November 13, 2014). ^[16]

How a video visit with Charles Wade, FNP-BC can help

A video visit can help you build a quit plan that fits your life in Lexington: what you use and how much, past quit attempts, triggers, a quit date and whether a quit medication makes sense for you. If a prescription is appropriate, it is sent to your local pharmacy. A visit does not guarantee a specific medication.

Follow-up visits can adjust the plan if cravings stay strong. Quitting is also a good time to ask whether you are due for lung cancer screening, which is recommended yearly for adults 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year history who smoke now or quit within the past 15 years.

Lab work and imaging are ordered at a facility near you, and prescriptions go to the Lexington-area pharmacy you choose. See labs, imaging and pharmacies near Lexington. Insurance accepted in Kentucky: BCBS / Anthem PPO, UnitedHealthcare PPO, UMR (PPO), Aetna PPO, Cigna PPO, Humana PPO, Ambetter PPO, TRICARE. Kentucky Medicaid, state-specific plans and HMO plans are not accepted. Self-pay visits are also available.

When to get care right away

For chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or thoughts of harming yourself while quitting, call 911 (or call or text 988 for a mental health crisis) or go to an emergency department such as UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital, Baptist Health Lexington or CHI Saint Joseph Hospital.

Keep reading

How to Quit Smoking or Vaping: What Actually Works: the full patient guide.
Telehealth care in Lexington: local labs, imaging, pharmacies and visit planning.
Primary Care at Wade’s Care First
Telehealth care across Kentucky

Sources

Local figures are the most recent published by the listed agencies as of November 12, 2026. This page does not replace advice from your own clinician.

Local questions

Lexington quit-smoking questions.

Is there free help to quit smoking or vaping in Lexington?

Yes. Quit Now Kentucky (1-800-QUIT-NOW, or text QUITNOW to 333888) offers free 24/7 coaching and free quit medications for many callers. Teens 17 and under can use My Life, My Quit at (855) 891-9989 or text START MY QUIT to 36072, and the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department runs Freedom From Smoking classes ((859) 288-2377).

Does insurance in Kentucky cover quit-smoking medication?

Kentucky law requires Medicaid and state-regulated health plans to cover FDA-approved quit medications and counseling with no copays or deductibles and no limit on the number of quit attempts. Prior authorization may apply after more than two attempts in 12 months. Check with your own plan to confirm how it applies to you. Wade’s Care First does not accept Kentucky Medicaid; in Kentucky it accepts the major PPO plans listed on this page and TRICARE, and self-pay visits are available.

Can I vape indoors in Lexington?

No. Lexington-Fayette's smoke-free ordinance covers workplaces and enclosed public places, and e-cigarettes were added in 2014. Kentucky has no statewide smoke-free law, so rules in other counties can be different.

Can a Kentucky pharmacist start me on a quit-smoking medication?

At some pharmacies, yes. Under a Kentucky Board of Pharmacy protocol, trained pharmacists at pharmacies with a signed protocol can start nicotine replacement, bupropion SR or varenicline (up to a 30-day supply), but not for pregnant patients. Ask your pharmacy whether it takes part.

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Quit smoking or vaping in Lexington: local help and next steps