Area residents who want to quite smoking need only need to visit one of the three pharmacies in 100 Mile House.
Smokers who want to quit don’t need to call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to join the British Columbia Smoking Cessation Program (BCSCP). Instead, they can join the program and get free nicotine replacement therapy products by visiting any community pharmacy in the province.
"A lot of people are taking advantage of the nicotine-replacement program, says Donex Pharmacy & Department Store pharmacist Dustin Leduc.
"I find the main thing is it's more convenient for people. They can come in directly and initiate the conversation with us."
The BCSCP is also adding more nicotine replacement choices for people trying to quit. Smokers now have the option of choosing nicotine lozenges or inhalers, as well as nicotine gum and the nicotine skin patch previously paid for by the program.
"I'd like to invite all smokers who are contemplating quitting smoking, to come in and talk with us about their options,” says Pharmasave pharmacist Gill Montgomery.
“Some people are not ready to quit right now, but maybe six months from now they will be ready and we can help."
Montgomery explains people sign a declaration for a 12-week program, using one of the replacement products available. After four weeks, they can change the product if they wish, she says, adding the program is for three consecutive months.
Since the BCSCP began in 2011, the provincial government has invested more than $38 million into the program. More than 187,000 have used the program to try to quit – that's 25 per cent of British Columbians who smoke.
Recent evaluation of the BCSCP’s nicotine-replacement therapy shows it helps people attempt to quit, and to be successful.
Last year, the Ministry of Health completed a survey of 3,000 smokers who used nicotine replacement therapy as part of the program. More than one-quarter of the people surveyed had quit smoking.
More than half had managed to quit for a month or longer, an important step toward becoming smoke-free for life.
Three-quarters smoked less after participating in the program, and 65 per cent agreed the program helped or is helping them try to quit smoking.
"In my opinion people are pretty well informed when they come to talk to us about quitting smoking, although most of them are unaware of the smoker’s helpline phone numbers," says Save-On-Foods pharmacist Aaron Ng.
He adds a lot of people do relapse, so it's important to call for support.
For more information, call 1-877-513-5333, or go to the website at www.smokershelpline.ca.