Quit smoking. Live longer. We can help.

Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Canada. 45,000 Canadians die each year as a result of smoking, while many others suffer from chronic diseases caused by smoking. Smokers are at high risk of developing hypertension, stroke, heart disease, damage to the kidneys and eyes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and other cancers. Approximately 15% of Canadians currently smoke, and that number is trending downwards from year to year.

Take advantage of the free BC smoking cessation program

British Columbia has a government-funded Smoking Cessation Program that covers 100% of the cost of non-prescription Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products including Nicorette gum, Nicorette lozenge, Nicorette inhaler, and Nicoderm patch. This program also includes prescription medications varenicline (brand name Champix) and bupropion (brand name Zyban) as part of the BC PharmaCare program, which means you may need to pay for all of the cost, part of the cost, or none of the cost, depending on your PharmaCare coverage. Eligible BC residents can choose between either the NRT products or the prescription medications. Every calendar year, you can receive a single continuous course of treatment up to 12 week or 84 days in a row.

We can help you take advantage of the government-funded Smoking Cessation program. Visit your local Wellness Pharmacy to talk to a pharmacist to determine the course of action that is right for you. We will need to know if you:

are pregnant
are breastfeeding
have any chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, kidney disease and breathing problems
were recently in the hospital
are taking prescription medications

What’s stopping you from quitting?

When you stop smoking, lung damage can be partially reversible. Smoking cessation can even extend your life span. If you remain smoke-free for 15 years and have not sustained permanent lung damage or cancer, your risk of a heart attack is as low as someone who has never smoked. In fact, remaining smoke-free for just ONE year cuts your risk of a heart attack in half.

Let us help you quit smoking and enjoy a longer, healthier life.