Mary MacDonald’s journey to quitting with help from PEI’s Smoking Cessation Program

For Mary MacDonald, smoking began as a social choice in her teenage years. She remembers her first puff in grade eight, perched on a neighbour’s shed, and by grade ten she was smoking regularly.  

Now, almost 50 years later, Mary’s able to look back with absolute clarity.  

“It was hands down the worst decision of my life,” she reflects.  

What started as a way to fit in with friends quickly became an addiction, and it was one that dictated her daily routine, controlled her finances, and eventually became a source of shame.  

Mary had tried to quit twice before, but it wasn’t until June 2024 that she finally quit for good. After a serious injury and an unsuccessful first surgery, her doctor explained that recovery would be far more successful if she quit smoking.  

“Thankfully, I think I was in a place mentally where I was ready to hear it, so it stuck.” she says.  

That’s when she reached out to the Smokers’ Helpline and enrolled in the PEI Smoking Cessation Program. Making the call was easier than she expected.  

“There’s a shame associated with smoking that makes you nervous about how people will perceive you,” Mary explains. “But the people at the helpline were so kind, you don’t have to worry about being judged. You are going to be received with care.”  

During that first call, Mary was connected with a quit coach and her prescription for the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product went directly to her local pharmacy. They discussed setting a quit date, explored different options for how she could approach quitting, and was reassured that she would have support every step of the way.   

What stood out most to her though, was the care she felt from the staff.  

“They have respect and genuine care. The NRT products help, but the people are a HUGE factor in why I was able to quit,” she says. “It’s so encouraging to have someone supporting your efforts. I don’t know if I could have quit without them.”  

For Mary, quitting hasn’t been about instant transformation. It’s about no longer feeling controlled by cigarettes. She notices she breathes easier and feels less financial strain, but what matters most to her is knowing she has ongoing support.  

Even now, she’s comforted knowing she can call the helpline again if she needs encouragement.  

Mary’s story demonstrates that the hardest part of quitting can often be reaching out for help. Once she did, she found one of PEI’s teams dedicated to helping Islanders quit smoking, ready to welcome her with respect and understanding. That reassurance is what she hopes others will take to heart: the support is there, and it can make all the difference.  

The PEI Smoking Cessation Program offers counseling, support, and covers 100 per cent of the cost of NRT products and specific prescription medications for Islanders who want to quit smoking or vaping.

Since December 2024, Islanders have been able to access these supports directly through their local pharmacy, making it easier for them to make the choice to quit. In the past year, over 1,000 people have taken advantage of this option, showing how accessible and effective the program has become. 

Islanders ready to quit smoking or vaping can start today by visiting their local pharmacy, speaking with their primary care provider, or calling the Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333.