Community-Guided Smoking Cessation
Smoking is the number one cause of
preventable death in Canada and
low-income individuals have 2X higher
smoking rates compared to the general
population. LungNSPEI completed the
Community Advised Smoking Cessation Project
in 2023 which highlighted additional
barriers faced by low-income people
who smoke, influenced by the social determinants of health.
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The Breathe Free: Community Guided Smoking Cessation project was designed based on these findings to support low-income Nova Scotians and Islanders to overcome barriers that enabled smoking behaviours and prevented successful cessation efforts. The project aims to help Nova Scotians and Islanders quit smoking or reduce the use of cigarettes.
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​Project participants will receive:
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A 12-week supply of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
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The NRTs will be mailed to participants by project partner Centre of Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH)
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NS participants will receive dual therapy NRTs (short and long acting NRTs)
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PEI participants will receive a single therapy NRT (long acting NRT) and are encouraged to utilize the PEI Smoking Cessation program to access additional cessation support.
Who can join:
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You can take part if you:
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Are 18 years or older
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Live in Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island
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Smoke at least 5 cigarettes a day and want to reduce or quit within the next 30 days
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Make less than $40,000 a year (before taxes and deductions)
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Have an email address
You cannot join if you:
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You cannot take part if any of the following apply to you:
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Pregnant or breastfeeding
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Have a skin condition (such as eczema or rash) that would affect your ability to use nicotine patches
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Are allergic to nicotine or adhesives (like medical tape) that would affect your ability to use nicotine patches
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We are also conducting a program evaluation to understand participants' experiences and outcomes in the Breathe Free program. Participation in the evaluation is voluntary and will not affect your access to NRT or other services. If you are interested, please review the program evaluation consent information in the baseline survey. As a token of appreciation, you will receive a $10 gift card for each survey that you complete (baseline, 14-week follow-up, and 6-month follow-up).
If you are not eligible, talk to your health care provider for help with quitting.
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Ready to join Breathe Free? Start your baseline survey to enroll in the program.
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​​This program has been approved for research by the University of Prince Edward Island’s Research Ethics Board#
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This program is funded by: Public Health Agency of Canada
