I Want to Quit Smoking

Do you want to quit smoking? Making the choice to quit is half the battle. Now that you've decided to make this big step, there are resources available to help you on your quit journey. Quitting smoking can sometimes take multiple attempts, but we're here to help you end your addiction to tobacco and begin a new, smoke-free phase of your life.

How to help someone quit smoking:

One of the best things you can do for a friend is to help them quit smoking. Those who smoke need support, not criticism, when they’re trying to quit smoking. A good support system is important to help them get through withdrawal symptoms and stay motivated about their choice to quit smoking for good. Ultimately, the decision to quit needs to be made by the person who smokes. But, by providing positive support and understanding, you can help someone through it. Here are ways to help:

Ask how you can help your friend.
Listen and encourage them.
Understand and acknowledge that quitting is difficult.
Give your friend extra support and understanding while they’re in withdrawal. You can offer to go for a walk or do something else to help distract them
Encourage your friend to join a support group.
Encourage your friend to choose healthy activities and do the activity with him/her.
Keep encouraging your friend, even if they start smoking again. Most people who quit smoking forever had tried a few times before they could quit for good. Help your friend figure out what made them smoke again and help them avoid those things. Tell your friend that quitting takes practice. The next time they try to quit, they'll do even better.
Celebrate their success on being smoke-free.

Other Resources:

Nova Scotia

Tobacco Free Nova Scotia - Tobacco Free Nova Scotia is a personalized and non-judgmental support to help you quit and stay quit. All services are free and confidential and include a quit line, text-based and online chat with counselors. Call 8-1-1 or register online.
**NS Mental Health and Additions - Cessation Support -** Nicotine Addiction Treatment & supportive counseling services are available by trained Nicotine Addiction Treatment Specialists throughout Nova Scotia for individuals who want to stop their tobacco or nicotine use, most commonly, smoking & vaping.
NSH Stop Smoking Program - Stop smoking, tobacco cessation and nicotine addiction services are available throughout Nova Scotia for individuals who want to cut back or stop their tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, vape, chew, etc.) use.
CMHA Nova Scotia - The Canadian Mental Health Association - Nova Scotia Division, provides a wide range of services including peer support programs, suicide prevention initatives, education workshops and housing supports to Islanders across the province. Call 1-833-292-3698 or TEXT good2talkns TO 686868
Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line CALL 1-888-429-8167

Prince Edward Island

PEI Smoking Cessation Program (Le Programme d’abandon du tabac de l’Î.-P.-É.) - The government of PEI offers both prescription and non-prescription supports to help Islanders break with tobacco addiction
Provincial Youth Addiction Services - Health PEI is responsible for the delivery of publicly funded health services in Prince Edward Island. The organization operates hospitals, health centres, public long-term care nursing facilities and community-based programs and services.
Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line- 1-833-553-6983 (toll-free). Calls are answered by trained mental health professionals (a registered nurse or a social worker) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CMHA PEI - The Canadian Mental Health Association - PEI Division, provides a wide range of services including peer support programs, suicide prevention initatives, education workshops and housing supports to Islanders across the province.
Expand Project - The Expand Project is an initiative to start a dialog within 2S, Indigiqueer, queer, and trans communities about smoking, vaping and traditional uses of tobacco. They provide resources, community, and support to help you on your reducing/quitting journey by providing 4 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy for queer and trans young people, 18-29 in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Prince Edward Island.

Universal

Your Doctor or Pharmacist - Your doctor or pharmacist is an excellent resource. You may want to consider trying nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patch, inhaler) or a prescription to help you quit and stay quit.
Smokers Helpline - A Canadian Cancer Society program that includes a 24-hour phone support service. Call 1-866-366-3667 toll-free to talk to a quit coach.
CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) Resources - CAMH provides a list of clinical tools, professional resources, as well as resources for patients and families.
Health Canada's "On the Road to Quitting" Handbook - Health Canada offers research-based advice on quitting smoking.
Freedom From Smoking - Freedom from smoking is an online quit program developed by the American Lung Association. It takes you through modules, each containing several lessons you are trying to complete, as you move through the program. This resource can be accessed anytime, day or night, on a schedule of your choosing. Please note that this is a paid resource.
Why Do I Smoke quiz - A quiz created by the American Academy of Family Physicians to help patients be clear about the psychological, social and physical factors related to their smoking. This quiz is self-administered and for your own interest. Not a valid medical test.