National non-smoking week is a great time to quit

During National Non-Smoking Week, January 19-25, 2020, Islanders are encouraged to quit smoking and begin living tobacco-free.

Islanders who want to quit smoking can now access the province’s new smoking cessation program by contacting their nearest primary care network. The program covers the cost of medications or nicotine replacement therapy products. 

“With tobacco use as the leading preventable cause of illness and death in PEI, it is so important for people who smoke to take the first step to becoming a non-smoker. Quitting smoking is not easy, but there are many services and supports to help Islanders cut out smoking and improve their overall health.”

- Health and Wellness Minister James Aylward

Since its launch in December 2019, 213 Islanders from across the province, ranging in age from 19 to 85 years, have enrolled in the smoking cessation program. 

“I am extremely pleased to see so many people taking part in the new smoking cessation program and hope that even more Islanders will consider using it to help them quit smoking,” said Minister Aylward. “This program is easy to access, free, and is offered conveniently at various primary care networks across the province. Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health.”

Tobacco use accounts for approximately 250 deaths per year in the province. Up to half of the Island's 18,282 adult smokers are likely to become ill or die from tobacco use.

Media contact:
Samantha Hughes
Senior Communications Officer
Health and Wellness
(902) 368-5610
shughes@gov.pe.ca