Ready to quit smoking?
Congratulations! You have decided to quit smoking.
As an organization that promotes health, the number one thing we can tell you to improve your health is to quit smoking.
To have the best chance of quitting and staying quit, you need to know what you’re up against, what your options are and choose a method that would be best for you. Cigarettes are designed to deliver nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, very quickly to the brain where it makes your body physically dependent on it.
In addition to physical dependence, the behaviour of smoking becomes a habit over time. The longer you smoke, the more your daily activities and moods become linked to your smoking habit and the harder it may be to give it up. Quitting smoking is not easy, but you can do it.
Suggestions to help you succeed:
- Try self-help materials like the Canadian Cancer Society’s One Step at a Time: For Smokers Who Want to Quit booklet.
- Ask your health care provider to help you develop an action plan.
- Seek counselling from an experienced counsellor, such as your health care provider, pharmacist or local health unit.
- Try a treatment program sponsored by hospitals or other organizations in your community.
- Consider using a medication, such as prescriptions medication or nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit smoking.
If you want to quit smoking, check out:
Health811
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Offers free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Smokers' Helpline
Canadian Cancer Society
Offers free personalized tools to help quit successfully.
If you are a teen and you want to quit smoking, check out:
Quit4Life
Health Canada
Information about quitting smoking for ages 12-18.
If you are pregnant and you want to quit, check out:
Pregnets
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Information about smoking and pregnancy for pregnant women and healthcare providers. Online support group.