Helping More Ontarians Quit Smoking

January 18, 2012 10:00 AM

McGuinty Government Keeping Ontario Healthy

To help more Ontarians quit smoking, people undergoing treatment for drug addictions will soon have access to free counselling supports, nicotine gum and patches.  

Over the next three years, the province will work with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to help nearly 23,000 smokers undergoing addictions treatment across Ontario. Of those who enter an addiction treatment program, more die from tobacco-related disease than from all other causes combined. 

Smokers in addiction treatment will get more help to quit through:

  • a five-week treatment of over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies and counseling
  • follow-up counselling at key milestones to help quit for good
  • advice and assistance every time they see a counsellor
  • free support through the Smokers' Helpline.

Training will also be available for addiction service providers to help them better support their clients as they quit smoking.

Helping Ontarians quit smoking is part of the McGuinty government's action plan to transform healthcare and keep Ontario families healthy.


Quick Facts

  • Tobacco kills 13,000 people a year in Ontario.
  • Tobacco-related disease costs Ontario's health care system $1.93 billion in direct health care costs and $5.8 billion in productivity losses each year.
  • The percentage of Ontarians who smoke has declined from 24.5 per cent in 2000 to 18.6 per cent in 2009.
  • Research indicates that combining over-the-counter smoking cessation aids with anti-smoking counselling supports is an effective way to help people quit smoking.
  • Smoking cessation supports such as counselling and nicotine replacement therapy are already available in many Public Health Units, Family Health Teams, pharmacies and hospitals.

Learn More


Contacts

  • David Jensen
    Communications Branch
    416-314-6197
    media@nullmoh.gov.on.ca
  • For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline
    1-866-532-3161
    null(Toll-free in Ontario only)
  • Media Line
    Toll-free: 1-888-414-4774
    GTA: 416-314-6197
    media@nullmoh.gov.on.ca
  • Zita Astravas
    Minister's Office
    416-327-9728

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
ontario.ca/health