Smoking Cessation

What is the PEI Smoking Cessation Program?

The PEI Smoking Cessation Program helps PEI residents who wish to stop smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco products by offering free counseling, covering 100% of the cost of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products (i.e., nicotine gum, lozenges, patches, mist, and inhaler) or specific smoking cessation prescription medications.

What treatments are available to help me quit smoking? 

Eligible PEI residents can be covered for one complete course of the following two treatment options:

• Option 1: Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Products (patches, gum, lozenges, spray, or inhaler)
• Option 2: Prescription smoking cessation medication. The program covers two smoking cessation medications: bupropion (brand name Zyban®) or varenicline (brand name Champix®). 

How do I get started?

1. Make an appointment with a nurse at your nearest Primary Care Network office or call your local pharmacy to discuss how ready you are to quit smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco products and the supports available to you.
2. At your appointment, a healthcare provider will review the program with you and ask questions about how ready you are to quit. Together, you will decide how you can best be supported to quit.
3. Based on your medical history and past quit attempts, the provider may suggest that you try an NRT product or a prescription smoking cessation medication.
4. You will visit your local pharmacy to pick up your chosen NRT product if necessary.

Find a Primary Care Network near you. View the full list of participating pharmacies.

What should I bring when I go to the Pharmacy?

If you have chosen Treatment Option 2 (prescription medication), you must bring your prescription from your primary care provider (i.e., family doctor or nurse practitioner) to the Pharmacy. Please speak to your pharmacist if you do not have a healthcare provider to prescribe for you.

When you pick up your NRT at the Pharmacy for the first time, you will be given a 14-day supply. You must return to the Pharmacy near the end of your second week of treatment to see the pharmacist; at that time, you will receive your next refill (28-day supply). Following that visit, you will continue receiving a 28-day supply and a final 14-day supply to finish your treatment.

Does the program offer any other support to help me quit smoking?

1. Counseling: All providers offer ongoing follow-up counseling. A combination of medication and counselling is known to be the best way to help people quit smoking.
2. Smoker's Help Line: Smokers’ Helpline (SHL) services provide support for people looking to quit smoking or vaping. They offer free, confidential counseling and resources to help smokers at any stage of their quitting journey. They can provide personalized quit plans, emotional support, and evidence-based strategies. By connecting individuals with trained counselors and providing access to online tools, and educational resources, SHL provides Islanders with a supportive network to motivate people to quit smoking and  vaping and live healthier lives.

Call toll-free: 1-877-513-5333 or visit smokershelpline.ca

How many attempts do I get to quit smoking with the program?

It often takes more than one try to stop smoking. That is why you can take part in the PEI Smoking Cessation Program more than once. However, NRTs are only covered once per year (from the date you entered the program). Other resources are available such as counseling and Smoker’s Helpline, to help you prepare for the next quit journey should you need it. 

More information about the program can be found in Frequently Asked Questions about the PEI Smoking Cessation Program.

Where can I get more information about the PEI Smoking Cessation Program?

Contact the PEI Smoking Cessation Coordinator by email at quitsmoking@ihis.org or by telephone at (902) 368-4319.