quit-smoking programs

overview

a good quit-tobacco program can help you quit by providing support and encouragement. programs are available for you to attend in person, by telephone, or online. most provincial health units can recommend a program in your area. quit-tobacco programs are also called tobacco cessation programs.

when looking for a program:

• look for a program that's led by someone who has had training in helping people quit tobacco.
• avoid any program that promises to make quitting easy or that sounds like it has the only answer or a secret method that works better than any other method. there are no "magic bullets."
• change your quit date to match the program date. in many communities, programs are only offered 2 or 3 times a year. keep this in mind as you plan your timeline for quitting.

in-person programs

good in-person programs for quitting:

• have at least 4 to 7 sessions that include self-help materials and individual or group counselling.
• have sessions that last at least 20 to 30 minutes.
• last at least a month past your quit date. some programs spend several weeks preparing for the quit date. a program is often most useful after you have quit.
• are affordable. many programs are free or low-cost. others cost more. some provincial health plans cover the cost of quit-tobacco programs.

telephone programs

phone-based programs link callers to trained counsellors. they can help you put together a quit plan that's tailored for you, and they can also help you avoid common problems. one resource that's available for free is health canada's quitline: 1-866-366-3667.

online programs

online quit-tobacco programs may work for you if your schedule doesn't allow you to attend in-person programs. there are many programs that offer resources to help you quit. go to www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco/quit-smoking/provincial-territorial-services.html to find programs.

text messaging

some programs send encouraging, informative text messages several times a day. go to www.smokershelpline.ca for the smokers' helpline text messaging service or text "iquit" to 123456.