Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking. It is the single best thing you can do for your health.
Tobacco kills about 45,000 Canadians each year*. There are over 4,000 dangerous chemicals in cigarettes, cigars and pipes that can increase your risk for cancer, heart disease, lung disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, colds, ulcers and tooth decay. Second-hand smoke from breathing in the smoke from another person’s cigarette can be as bad as smoking cigarettes yourself.
How does smoking harm your lungs?
- Smoking damages your lungs’ natural cleaning and repair system, and traps cancer-causing chemicals in your lungs. Smoking permanently damages the air sacs alveoli) in your lungs, making it hard to absorb oxygen and reducing the surface area so that lower amounts of oxygen are absorbed.
- Do not smoke, not even one
- Avoid people and situations that would tempt you to smoke
- Be positive
- Exercise – it will take your mind off your cravings, help your mood and increase your energy
- Do not give up – if you smoke, try again to stay quit”
- Remember – most people who quit smoking have tried several times before quitting for good. This is normal.
Medications to help quit smoking decrease withdrawal symptoms, minimize the urge to smoke and increase your chances of quitting. Studies have shown that these medications can double or triple your chances of quitting.
These products help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms by providing an alternative source of the nicotine found in cigarettes. Dosage forms include patches, gum, lozenges, spray and inhaler.
Getting Started
As of January 1, 2016:
You can sign up for, government funded, BC smoking Cessation Program at Miracle Prescriptions Remedy’sRx and our pharmacists can consult you on different products and medications for quit smoking. You no longer need to call 811 (HealthLink BC) for this service.
Select Non-Prescription Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Products are available for free under BC smoking Cessation Program:
- Nicoderm® patch (7 mg, 14 mg, 21 mg)
- Nicorette® gum (2 mg, 4 mg)
- Nicorette® inhaler (10 mg)
- Nicorette® lozenges (2 mg, 4 mg)
- Nicorette® inhaler (10 mg)
For your convenience we also carry some other form of NRTs that can be purchased in our pharmacy.
Non-Nicotine Prescription Medications
Bupropion and varenicline are medications that may help you to quit smoking. They are usually started 1 to 2 weeks before your quit date.
Talk to your doctor or Remedy’sRx pharmacist to determine which quit smoking method(s) and medication(s) are right for you.
To ensure you are getting the most from your medications, our private and personalized consultation will help identify and resolve possible medication conflicts and interactions. Covered by most provincial health plans.
For more information about Quitting Smoking: Talk with your Remedy’sRx pharmacist current healthcare issues.
• Visit the Canadian Cancer Society – Smokers’ Helpline website www.smokershelpline.ca or call 1-877-513-5333
• Visit the Canadian Lung Association website www.lung.ca