An estimated 40% of local residents who smoke plan on quitting in the next 6 months.  To have a succcessful  quit, it is important to deal with both the habit of smoking as well as the addiction to nicotine

To "kick the habit" of smoking, there are a variety of FREE resources available including:

• One Step at a Time booklet from the Canadian Cancer Society
• On the Road to Quitting booklet from Health Canada
• Smokers' Helpline counselling service at 1-877-513-5333

If you would like hard copies of the resources listed above, contact the Tobacco Hotline at 519-258-2146, ext. 3218 or tobacco@wechealthunit.org.

To deal with the addiction to nicotine, you may want to use a medication to help you deal with the withdrawal symptoms.  It is important to speak with your pharmacist or physician to learn what's right for you.  Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are available over-the-counter.  These products provide you with a lower dose of nictoine than you would get by smoking, without the exposure to the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke.  The NRT products help you slowly reduce your dependence on nicotine over time, as the doses of nicotine in the products gradually decreases.  There are other medications available, but only through prescription.  Again, talk to your pharmacist or physician before you start.

If you can develop a quit plan that includes dealing with the habit and dealing with the addiction at the same time, you will increase your chance of success over using just one or the other.