Getting the help you need to quit smoking

You don’t have to do it alone! Wherever you live in Canada, there are resources available to help you quit smoking. Whether it’s coverage for smoking cessation aids – such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or medications – or chat lines and online support groups, check out what’s available in your province.

Government coverage – NRT and medications

All Canadian provinces have coverage in place to help you get started on your smoking cessation journey. The table below outlines what coverage you can receive in your province. For more information, click here.

Province	Coverage
British Columbia	All residents with a valid provincial health card are eligible to receive 12 weeks of cost-free NRT each year (both the nicotine patch and nicotine gum are covered). British Columbia’s Pharmacare program reimburses members for bupropion and varenicline for 12 consecutive weeks per 12-month period. For varenicline, coverage may be extended by 12 weeks with special authorization from a physician. Click here for more information.
Alberta	All of Alberta’s public drug plan programs reimburse members for 12 weeks of bupropion and varenicline annually. An additional 12 weeks of varenicline is available with special authorization from a physician. People who are on social assistance can receive the Nicoderm patch, and Nicorette gum, inhaler or mouth spray up to a lifetime maximum of $500. Click here for more information.
Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan’s public drug program reimburses members (those who are 65 years of age or older, and those on social assistance) for bupropion and varenicline. For varenicline, members are limited to 12 weeks of treatment annually. Click here for more information
Manitoba	Manitoba’s Pharmacare program reimburses members for bupropion and varenicline. For varenicline, coverage is limited to 12 weeks. Members of the Funding for Smoking Cessation Aids on the Public Service Health Care Plans are eligible for reimbursement for all smoking cessation aids, to a maximum lifetime limit of $1,000. Click here for more information.
Ontario	The Ontario Drug Benefit program reimburses members (those who are 65 years of age or older, and those on social assistance) for varenicline and bupropion. Members are eligible for 12 weeks of treatment with both bupropion and varenicline each year. Ontarians are also able to receive government-sponsored NRT through Family Health Teams, Community Health Centres, Nurse Practitioner-led clinics and Aboriginal Health Centres that have elected to participate in the Stop Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) program. Click here for more information.
Québec	Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec reimburses members for bupropion, varenicline, as well as the NRT patch, gum and lozenges, if obtained by prescription. Members can receive NRT reimbursement for a maximum of 12 consecutive weeks per year. During the same 12 weeks, the patch, gum or lozenges may be reimbursed together, if written on the same prescription. Bupropion and varenicline are also covered for 12 consecutive weeks per year, whether or not they are used at the same time as the nicotine patches and gum or lozenges. For varenicline, coverage may be extended by 12 weeks, provided that the person has stopped smoking. Click here  for more information.
New Brunswick	The New Brunswick Pharmacare program reimburses members for bupropion and varenicline. For varenicline, members are limited to 12 weeks of reimbursement annually. Click here for more information.
Nova Scotia	NS Pharmacare reimburses members for bupropion. Click here for more information.
Prince Edward Island	A Quit Smoking program is available for eligible Prince Edward Island Medicare plan members (those who are 65 years of age or older, and those on social assistance); it covers the first $75 of cost for varenicline, bupropion or NRT. Click here for more information.
Newfoundland	A provincial smoking cessation program is available for people with low income or who are 65 years of age or older; it covers varenicline or bupropion for up to 12 consecutive weeks, once every year. Click here for more information.

Private drug plan coverage – NRT and medications

Some privately (i.e. employer) sponsored drug plans provide reimbursement for prescription stop smoking treatments (varenicline and bupropion), generally with a modest lifetime dollar maximum. Very few privately sponsored drug plans provide reimbursement for NRT; however reimbursement can be obtained through health care spending accounts where applicable.

Community support

Some hospitals have outpatient smoking cessation clinics; ask your doctor about programs that are available in your area. As well, some pharmacists offer personalized smoking cessation consultations; ask your pharmacist if they offer this type of service.

Online and telephone support resources

Smokers’ Helpline is an evidence-based, non-judgmental and personalized service run by the Canadian Cancer Society. Help is available in either English or French, by telephone at 1-877 513-5333 and online at the Smokers’ Helpline. (Text messaging and interpreter services are also available in the province of Ontario.)

Smokers’ Helpline serves five provinces and one territory in Canada, including: Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. For quit-line services in other provinces, click here.

To learn about other provincial programs that are available for people who want to quit, visit Health Canada’s smoking cessation website.