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If you're starting Mounjaro for weight loss, or are already taking it, you may be wondering how it might affect other habits, such as smoking or vaping.
While Mounjaro is not a stop-smoking treatment, some people notice changes in their cravings or behaviours related to nicotine once they begin taking the medication.
Can Mounjaro Affect Smoking or Vaping Habits?
Although Mounjaro is not designed to treat nicotine addiction, early observations and scientific studies suggest it may affect how the brain reacts to nicotine cravings. Some people find they:
- Feel less interested in smoking or vaping
- Experience nausea if they use nicotine
- Find the taste or smell of cigarettes or vapes unpleasant
- Smoke or vape less frequently
Others report no change, and a few say they feel more cravings during the first few weeks of treatment.
These different reactions are normal—everyone’s body and brain respond to medications in their own way.
Why Might Mounjaro Affect Nicotine Cravings?
Here are a few reasons Mounjaro may affect how you feel about smoking or vaping:
- It Reduces Cravings and Reward Responses: Mounjaro acts on areas of the brain that manage appetite and pleasure. These are the same areas that respond to nicotine. By lowering the brain’s reward response to triggers like food or nicotine, Mounjaro may help reduce the urge to smoke or vape.
- It Can Make Smoking or Vaping Less Enjoyable: One of the most common side effects of Mounjaro is nausea, especially in the first few weeks. If you're already feeling a bit sick, smoking or vaping can make it worse. That might lead you to cut back naturally or stop altogether.
- It Disrupts Habitual Behaviours: Nicotine is often linked to habits like smoking after meals or vaping when stressed. Because Mounjaro changes how your body and brain respond to food, it may also affect these routines, making it easier to break old habits.
What Does the Research Say on Mounjaro and Smoking or Vaping?
Early research and clinical studies have started to explore how medications like Mounjaro affect addictive behaviours, including smoking.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, like tirzepatide (in Mounjaro) and semaglutide (in Wegovy), have shown promise in reducing nicotine use in animal studies and lowering cravings in some humans.
A 2023 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that people using GLP-1 medications were less likely to seek treatment for substance use disorders, including smoking, compared to those not on these medications. This suggests a possible connection between these drugs and reduced cravings.
While these findings are promising, more human studies are needed. Mounjaro is not approved as a smoking cessation aid, but its effects on cravings are being closely studied.
Is It Safe to Smoke or Vape While Taking Mounjaro?
There are no known harmful interactions between Mounjaro and nicotine, but there are still a few things to be aware of:
- Smoking increases health risks, especially for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
- Vaping and smoking may worsen side effects like nausea, indigestion, or reflux—especially in the early stages of treatment.
Thinking About Quitting?
If you're already thinking about quitting smoking or vaping, Mounjaro might help make the process easier, especially if your cravings naturally reduce while on treatment.
However, for the best chance of long-term success, it’s important to seek proven stop-smoking methods, such as:
- Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers)
- Prescription medications (like varenicline)
- Counselling, coaching, or group support
- Quit-smoking apps and trackers
Tips for People Using Mounjaro Who Smoke or Vape
If you're currently smoking or vaping while on Mounjaro, here are a few helpful tips:
Notice Changes in Your Habits
Keep a short daily note of how much you smoke or vape, and whether your cravings change. This can help you spot progress—or areas where you need more support.
Manage Side Effects
If nicotine is making nausea worse, cutting back or switching to a non-inhaled form (like patches) may help reduce discomfort.
Don’t Go It Alone
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any quit plan. They can advise on what’s safe to combine with Mounjaro and offer additional support.
Take Advantage of the Momentum
If you’re already making positive changes with weight loss, this could be a great time to tackle smoking or vaping too.
Mounjaro is a powerful treatment that helps with weight loss by changing how your body controls hunger and cravings. For some people, it also reduces the desire to smoke or vape—or makes the experience less pleasant.
While more research is needed, there’s growing evidence that medications like Mounjaro may play a role in supporting behaviour change beyond weight loss.
If you're thinking about quitting smoking or vaping, your journey with Mounjaro could be a helpful stepping stone. At Phlo Clinic, we’re here to guide you through every stage with safe, effective care.
References
- NHS – Tirzepatide (Mounjaro): Overview and usage
- https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tirzepatide/
- WebMD – Mounjaro: Uses, side effects, and more
- https://www.webmd.com/obesity/mounjaro-side-effects
- Healthline – Mounjaro Drug Interactions: What to Avoid
- https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/mounjaro-interactions
- JAMA Psychiatry – Association of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use With Reduced Risk of Substance Use Disorders
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2807634
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management
- https://www.nice.org.uk
- GlobalRPH – Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and its impact on addiction-related behaviours
- https://globalrph.com/2025/06/breaking-free-how-mounjaro-helps-smokers-quit
