Ready to quit smoking? One more hurdle removed for B.C. smokers hoping to quit in 2016

The B.C. government’s quit-smoking assistance program is now available to people who drop by a pharmacy to qualify for free nicotine replacement products.

As of Jan. 1, 2016, participants no longer have to register by calling 8-1-1 to reach the HealthLinkBC medical advice service. The program has also expanded its offerings to include nicotine inhalers and lozenges as well as gum and patches.

“We changed the program to make it easier for people who are trying to quit smoking, or trying again,” Heath Minister Terry Lake said in a news release. “I have seen friends and family struggle to break their terrible addiction to cigarettes. I hope this improved program helps others avoid the same struggle and the health problems that come from smoking.”

The smoking-cessation program was launched in 2011 and covers the cost of nicotine gun and nicotine skin patches.

Today, the government added more choices: nicotine lozenges and inhalers.

This came after the province issued a request for proposals from suppliers. The winning bid came from Johnson and Johnson Inc. to supply Nicorette and Nicoderm products.

To date, the government has spent $38 million on encouraging people to quit; 187,000 people have enrolled, which equals 25 percent of all B.C. smokers.

Scott McDonald, CEO of the B.C. Lung Association, praised the decision to expand the program.

“After people pick up their free nicotine replacement products, I encourage them to contact Quit Now, our free support program for people trying to quit smoking or other tobacco use,” McDonald said in the news release.

Agencies/Canadajournal