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, spray, 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 or cessation medication.

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 or using other tobacco products. 
2. Smoker's Help Line: Smokers’ Helpline (SHL) offers free, confidential support for people who want to quit smoking or vaping. Their services are available to individuals at any stage of the quit journey and include one-on-one counselling, personalized quit plans, emotional encouragement, and evidence-based strategies. Through access to trained counsellors, online tools, and educational resources, SHL provides PEI residents with a support network that helps motivate people to quit smoking or vaping.

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

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

Quitting smoking often takes more than one attempt. That’s why you can join the PEI Smoking Cessation Program more than once. NRT or cessation medication is covered once per year, based on the date you enter the program. Other resources such as counselling and Smokers’ Helpline are available to help you prepare for your next quit attempt, should you need it. 

For answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the Program Booklet (Appendix A). 

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.