Smoking & Vaping
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking takes time and can be hard to do. Finding the method that is right for you is important. By learning more about what methods are available and planning ahead to prepare yourself for the challenges of quitting, you can improve your chances of success.
Making a plan to quit smoking
A quit plan should help you to:
- Keep track of your smoking
- Practice quitting
- Set a quit date
- Get support from others to help you quit
- Eliminate smoking "triggers"
The quit plan should include:
- Substitutes for smoking
- Dealing with situations when you normally smoke
- Dealing with cravings
- Rewarding yourself many times a day
- How to get back on track if you slip by smoking after your quit date
Clinics & Programs
Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your health and there are many free programs and services available to help. Find out where you can get help, because It is never too late to quit smoking.
Many family doctors in Hamilton offer free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help you quit smoking. NRT is available as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, or inhalers. Ask your doctor if they have NRT available at their office.
Doctors who are members of one of these health teams may be able to provide free NRT to their patients:
- Hamilton Family Health Team (STOP Program)
- McMaster Family Practice (STOP Program)
- Stonechurch Family Health (STOP Program)
- COMPASS Community Health Centre
- Centre de santé communautaire (STOP Program)
- De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre (STOP Program)
Free counselling and oral medications to help you quit smoking are available through some community pharmacists. Ask at your local pharmacy.
STOP on the NET (SOTN)
Online program open to people age 18+ across Ontario. This program provides treatment including nicotine patches, and gum or lozenges, delivered to your address.
Please note: If you register for STOP on the Net you will not be eligible to receive NRT from another STOP Program for 12 months following your SOTN enrollment date.
Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation
This program provides free Nicotine Replacement Therapy delivered to your address. Call 1-888-645-5405 to enroll.
Smokers’ Helpline
Offers free online tools, email support, online support community, and text messaging support 24/7 for quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use. Access by texting iQuit to 123456
Quash
A free app to help you quit smoking or vaping
Crush the Crave
A free app to help you quit vaping.
My Change Plan
My Change Plan is a mobile app to help people quit, reduce or manage their tobacco cigarette smoking.
Smoke-Free Curious
Do you wonder what a smoke-free life really looks like? How would it impact your relationships, your health, your time? Explore how to quit and get free Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
Stop Vaping Challenge
Stop Vaping Challenge is an app for youth to reflect on vaping behaviours and patterns that encourages quitting with friends.
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton TARP (Tobacco Addiction Recovery Program)
TARP is an 8-week group program for people age 18+ living with a serious mental illness and/or addiction who want to quit smoking or reduce the use of tobacco products. Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy and group support provided. Self-referral or referral by a health care provider. This is a STOP program.
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton TARP
Contact
Phone 905-522-1155 ext 39124
De dwa da dehs nye >s
Aboriginal Health Centre offers up to 26 weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and group support for people who want to quit smoking. This is a STOP program.
Contact
Email [email protected]
Phone 905-544-4320
Non Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for First Nations and Inuit
Eligible First Nations and Inuit persons have coverage for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and prescription medications to help you quit smoking. Talk to your health care provider or contact 1-800-640-0642 to learn more.
Talk Tobacco
Free, confidential quit smoking support for First Nation, Inuit, Metis and Urban Indigenous populations in 16 languages, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
Call 1-833-998-8255
OHIP+ offers coverage of prescription medication including Champix (varenicline) and Zyban (bupropion) for youth ages 18 - 24 if they are participating in smoking cessation counseling.
Talk to your pharmacist or health care provider about smoking cessation counselling, which includes a quit plan and 7 follow-up calls.
Students going to university/college in another province
If you are at a university or college in another province, your prescriptions may still be covered by OHIP+ if you:
- remain insured by OHIP
- have a valid prescription
- get your medications from a pharmacy in Ontario
See additional programs listed under phone, text and online programs. Programs may be available on campus at McMaster University, Mohawk College and Redeemer University.
The Expand Project
Offers four weeks of FREE nicotine replacement therapy, free online tools, online support community, and quit contests to expand conversations around nicotine and tobacco amongst queer and trans young adults ages 18-29.
Hamilton Public Health Services Quit Clinic
Clinic offers free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) such as nicotine patches and counselling. You can also get gift cards and bus tickets for a limited time.
The clinic is open by appointment only. This is a STOP program.
Location:
Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Services
21 Hunter St. E., Hamilton
Phone: 905-540-5566 ext. 1 to book an appointment.
Jaravinski Cancer Centre
Ask your Juravinski Cancer Centre health care provider about free smoking cessation treatment options.
Learn more about the effects of tobacco use on cancer treatments
Caring for My COPD
A free 10- week program at Compass Community Health for people who have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The program includes a personalized exercise program supervised by healthcare professionals, weekly education sessions to learn how to manage your COPD, and phone support.
Spécialiste en cessation du tabagisme
STOP est un programme qui offre des séances de counseling individuel en plus de traitement de remplacement de nicotine gratuit (timbres, gommes, losanges).
Pour plus de détails, communiquez avec Lorraine Côté, infirmière autorisée, au 866-437-7606 # 3231 ou 905-528-0163 # 3231
The Clinic helps you cut down or quit smoking or vaping.
Priority for patients who are:
- Pregnant
- Young families
- Living in poverty
- Living with a mental Illness
- Without a family doctor
Counselling by Public Health Nurses and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) such as patches or gum. You must attend counselling sessions to access free NRT.
Appointments required. This is a STOP program.
Location:
Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Services
21 Hunter St. E., Hamilton
Phone: 905-540-5566 ext. 1 to book an appointment.
Contact your local pharmacist or doctor for a prescription if you are interested in Champix or Zyban.
Ontario Drug Benefit
People on Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) can receive Champix or Zyban at no cost. Call 1-866-811-9893 for more information.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
People receiving OW or ODSP should speak with their case worker to learn about eligibility for no-cost NRT and supports.
If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your lifetime risk of lung cancer is especially high. Find out more about radon.
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