Resource
Intervention and treatment
Stopping tobacco and vapour product use is good for your health and protects others from second-hand smoke and vapour.
Your body starts to heal in as little as 20 minutes of not smoking or vaping.
Download the Benefits of Being Smoke-Free infographicHelp to quit or reduce smoking, vaping, or other tobacco use
There are many ways to quit or reduce use, and there are resources that can make the journey easier.
It is not easy to stop smoking or vaping, and most people need help. Evidence shows that people are most successful when they use medications that help reduce cravings for nicotine, and have the support of a healthcare professional, counsellor, or trusted friend to provide encouragement and motivation.
Your family doctor or pharmacist can tell you about medications that can help you stop using tobacco, and help you decide what is best for you.
-
-
BC Smoking Cessation Program
Get free medications that help you manage nicotine withdrawal and cravings. Go to your pharmacy or speak with your health care provider to sign up for this program.
-
QuitNow
Get help from Quit Coaches and an online community of people who are quitting or reducing. QuitNow provides support, motivation, and information to help you on your quit/reduce.
-
Smoking Cessation Clinic (PHC)
Get help from a doctor to cut back or quit smoking or vaping. Email or call to make a virtual or in-person appointment at the Smoking Cessation Clinic.
-
Drop-in smoking cessation group
Attend a free smoking cessation at Room 4166 - Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre Vancouver General Hospital. Drop-in on Wednesday at 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
-
Pathways to a Smoke-Free Life
Use this visual resource to find a pathway to a smoke-free life that works for you.
-
Quash App for individuals aged 14 to 30
Use your phone and get help to quit smoking or vaping the way you want. Quash is a judgment-free app that can help you make a plan that will work for you.
-
Stop Vaping Challenge App (Youth)
A free quit vaping app you can use with friends to track the time since you last vaped.
-
First Nations Health Authority Health Benefits Program
This program provides additional coverage for First Nations peoples to quit or reduce using commercial tobacco.
-
First Nations Health Authority Respecting Tobacco
Find information about the history of traditional tobacco and resources to help you stop or reduce using commercial tobacco.
-
Talk Tobacco
This program offers culturally appropriate support for Indigenous people and can help you quit vaping or smoking commercial tobacco.
-
Is vaping a good way to quit or reduce smoking?
Vapour Products (also known as vapes or electronic cigarettes) have only been around since 2003. Researchers and medical professionals are not able to say what the long-term impacts of vaping will be. Most agree that vaping is not harmless, but it can be a harm reduction tool for people who smoke – vaping exposes people to fewer chemicals than tobacco smoke.
The Food and Drugs Act (FDA) has not approved vaping products in Canada. That means doctors and pharmacists cannot prescribe them, and the vaping industry cannot make any health claims about them being able to help people quit smoking. If you smoke and have tried approved methods to quit and are still smoking, switching completely to vaping nicotine is less harmful than continuing to smoke.
-
-
About Vaping (Health Canada)
Find out more about quit aides that are approved by Health Canada and vaping and quitting smoking.
-
Frequently Asked Questions about Vaping
This resource from the Canadian Centre for Addictions and Mental Health has answers to common questions about e-cigarettes and vaping. Available in French.
-
Vaping Harm Reduction Tips
This resource from the Canadian Centre for Addictions and Mental Health has tips to help reduce your risk if you vape. Available in French.
-
Contact us
Email: smokefree@vch.ca
Phone: (604) 675-3800
Related content
Visit VCH Tobacco & Vapour Control main page
Visit VCH Tobacco & Vapour Reduction service page