Quitline is expecting an influx of calls and text messages for support to give up smoking as the new year begins today. 

It says many people commit to quitting as a New Year resolution and it is a time when many people focus on the cost of the habit.

Chief executive Andrew Slater told Tim Dower he anticipates around two thousand people will get in touch every week this month, and says Quitline is an outreach for people needing help giving up the addictive substance. 

"In 2019, we can help you build a plan and arrange alternatives to use.

The use of vaping is less harmful than smoking, and we are encouraging Kiwis to use vaping as an alternative. It is 95% less harmful than tobacco smoking."

LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW SLATER SPEAKS TO TIM DOWER