Helping People Quit Smoking

Helping People Quit Smoking

Everyone has his or her own reasons for quitting smoking or tobacco, like the effects on your health and the impacts on your family. Knowing your reasons for quitting can help you stay motivated. 

It’s never too late to quit smoking. There are supports available to help you start a smoke-free life:

QuitNow
BC Smoking Cessation program

Also see: Quit smoking before surgery

Helping people living with mental illness to quit smoking

The Smoking Reduction and Cessation Group is designed to address the unique needs of mental health clients who want to learn about tobacco addiction and to cut down or quit smoking.

Referrals are accepted from physicians, psychiatrists, case managers, or therapists at the Day Hospital, Eric Martin Pavilion at Royal Jubilee Hospital. For more information, call 250-370-8175.

Tobacco use support for Indigenous communities

The Talk Tobacco program offers culturally-appropriate support for quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use to Indigenous people and communities in BC. Support is available by telephone, text message and live chat. The service is free and confidential, open seven days a week and offers interpretation in many Indigenous languages.

The Indigenous Healthy Living Activities (AHLA) is a provincially funded program designed to bring together community leaders and individuals who are passionate about health and wellness and to promote healthy living including reduction of tobacco misuse. Contact the program manager for more information.  

Services

News & Events

A group of people standing with a sign

Currents Summer 2021

Read about your colleagues’ activities, learn about Island Health programs, celebrate achievements and see lots of photos of Island Health employees at work and play.

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Island Health Magazine Summer 2021

The summer issue of Island Health magazine includes information on the COVID vaccine; a feature on planning ahead for retirement; Primary Care Networks explained and an in-depth look at the drug-poisoning crisis and some of the projects taking place as part of Island Health’s response.

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Island Health Magazine Spring 2021

Island Health magazine spring 2021 features articles on COVID-19 including a look back at the past year. Also included are articles on the health benefits of spending time in nature, memory loss and aging, and a moving article about one family’s journey with hospice care.

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