Smoking Cessation

Quitting smoking reduces your own personal harm and protects others around you from tobacco smoke.

You may also prevent others from starting smoking because you stop modelling unhealthy behaviours.

If you are ready to quit or would like more information, we have resources and services in place to help you.

Resources to help you quit smoking

BC Smoking Cessation Program

The BC Smoking Cessation Program, launching September 30, 2011, will help cover the costs of prescription and non-prescription smoking cessation aids for BC residents. Visit the BC Smoking Cessation Program website for more information.

QuitNow helpline A confidential, free helpline - staffed by nurses - is available 24/7 to all British Columbians. Call (toll free) 1.877.455.2233 or go online at QuitNow.ca .

In-hospital program

We offer the the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation at Vancouver General, St. Paul’s, Lions Gate and Bella Coola General hospitals, with expansion to other VCH hospitals under development. 

This program is offered in partnership with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and i funded by Health Canada. Hospitalization is an efficient and effective time to identify and treat tobacco users, and hospitalized patients may be particularly motivated to quit for two reasons:

1. The illness resulting in hospitalization may have been caused or exacerbated by smoking
2. Every hospitalized smoker is temporarily in a smoke-free environment

Cessation can reduce the likelihood of re-admission to hospital and frees up hospital space for other patients. Research shows health professional support for patients increases the rate of smoking cessation by 30 per cent. A combination of behavioural and pharmacological intervention is most effective for tobacco cessation.

Ottawa Model principles

• Identification of tobacco users when admitted to hospital
• Available pharmacotherapy and counselling to help manage nicotine withdrawal and comfortably remain smoke-free during hospitalization and post discharge
• Post-discharge phone follow-up and support for six months for motivated patients

Learn more

Vancouver Coastal Health Tobacco Strategy

  Contact us

Contact your local Tobacco Reduction program by selecting the link below. 

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