Tobacco

Tobacco

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Canada. There is no safe level of tobacco use or exposure to second-hand smoke.

Why is it so hard to quit?

Most people don’t quit smoking successfully on their first try. On average, people quit 30 times before they finally quit for good. However, each time you try, you learn more about yourself and what works for you, making it easier to quit next time.

Cigarettes contain nicotine, a very addictive drug that only takes seven seconds to reach your brain after you inhale. Your brain and body quickly get used to the effects of nicotine and need more cigarettes more often to avoid withdrawal symptoms like:

  • Tiredness
  • Frustration
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Sadness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Hunger

This is what makes you addicted to tobacco.

Ready to quit smoking?

Quitting smoking can be hard, but every year, thousands of people go tobacco-free. You can too! Quitting smoking has many benefits. Need some inspiration? Check out these quit stories from community members just like you.

If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve tried quitting before. Whether you were smoke- or vape-free for a year or a day, every try brings you one step closer to quitting for good. Check out Don’t Quit Quitting for tips, tricks, and facts to guide you through your quit journey.

Use this calculator to find out how much money you are spending on cigarettes.

Making a quit plan and seeking professional support increases your chances of quitting and remaining tobacco-free. There are plenty of resources and supports available to assist you.

Employers looking to promote health in the workplace and support employees’ efforts to quit smoking can read this guide.

Smoking cessation programs

Connect with a registered nurse at Health811 by calling 811 for telephone-based support to stop smoking. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • Contact your health-care provider. They may have smoking cessation support like smoking cessation counselling, medication, or other resources.
  • Speak to your pharmacist. Some Ontario pharmacists are trained in smoking cessation. If cost is an issue, some of these private insurance and benefit programs may help you with the cost: OHIP+, Ontario Drug Benefit, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support, and the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program for First Nations and Inuit People.

The STOP cessation program offers counselling, support, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (e.g., nicotine patches, gum, inhaler, lozenges) at no cost to people who wish to quit smoking or vaping.

Eligible participants will receive 26 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy. To find out if you are eligible and to book an appointment, visit, or call one of the following sites:

This online program is designed to support eligible individuals aged 18 and older in Ontario who smoke cigarettes and want to quit. This program is unavailable for those wanting to quit vaping. Eligible participants will receive six weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

The Quit Smoking Program is a nurse-led clinic that provides you with one-on-one support by phone or video conference for up to six months. The program may include nicotine replacement products and prescription medication to help you quit. Call 613-696-7069 or email quitsmoking@ottawaheart.ca.

Smokers’ Helpline

The Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential service run by the Canadian Cancer Society. They provide online tips, tools, and support and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Mobile customers can text “iQuit” to 123456 to register.

Talk Tobacco

A free service offering culturally appropriate support and information about quitting smoking, vaping, and commercial tobacco use for Indigenous communities.

Tools for a smoke-free life

Tools and resources from Health Canada to help you become smoke-free.

On the road to quitting

This guide, created by Health Canada, will give you the information and skills you need to successfully stop smoking. Understand what to expect during your quit attempt and learn tips to help you along the way.

Pregnets

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health offers information, resources, and support to pregnant and postpartum women and their health-care providers to support the ability to reduce smoking, quit, and stay quit.

Quash

A free app for youth (14 to 19 years old) and adults who would like to quit smoking or vaping. Available on Google Play and the App store.

My Change Plan (MCP)

A free app developed by clinicians and researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to help you quit or reduce smoking cigarettes. Available on the App Store.

Tobacco and nicotine cessation myths

Although it is best to quit before getting pregnant, quitting at any time during pregnancy can have a positive impact on the health of the pregnant individual and the baby. Quitting doesn’t put stress on the baby. Continued cessation during the postpartum period is also vital to the well-being and health of the entire family.

It has been well documented that smoking during pregnancy can cause serious problems including pregnancy complications, stillbirth, poor fetal growth and low birth weight, premature or preterm delivery, birth defects, and damage to the baby’s developing lungs and brain.

Most electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain nicotine, which poses risks to a baby’s development. E-cigarette liquids also contain chemicals, flavours, and other additives that may not be safe for the pregnant individual or their baby. Therefore, quitting vaping while pregnant is also recommended.

Quitting smoking can be a challenge, especially while pregnant. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can help.

Many experts agree that the health risks from smoking cigarettes during pregnancy are far greater than the health risks from using nicotine replacement therapy products that have far lower levels of nicotine and far fewer toxins.

Pregnant individuals who are attempting to quit should try non-pharmacological (i.e., social, emotional, and behavioural) strategies first. If they need additional help, they can use nicotine replacement therapy products. Individualized care and behavioural support from a health-care professional is strongly recommended when using nicotine replacement therapy products.

Combining nicotine replacement therapy products, also known as combination therapy, is considered safe and effective for smoking cessation. This approach can triple a person’s chance of quitting and staying quit.

Nicotine patches are a long-acting (i.e., prolonged release of nicotine over 24 hours) form of nicotine replacement therapy intended to replace most of the nicotine normally consumed, helping to reduce and manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The number of patches a person uses depends on a variety of factors (i.e. number of cigarettes smoked, smoking history, the individual’s weight and height, experience with nicotine replacement therapy, etc.). Therefore, using more than one patch or nicotine replacement therapy product may be needed.

For sudden or intense cravings, short-acting (i.e., immediate release of nicotine) nicotine replacement therapy in the form of gum, lozenge, inhaler, or quick mist can be used. These short acting forms of nicotine replacement therapy are used to help manage cravings when more nicotine is needed than is being provided from the patch.

There is no evidence to suggest that smoking while wearing a patch may cause a heart attack or a stroke. However, if an individual smokes while wearing the patch it can lead to a high level of nicotine and symptoms of nicotine toxicity. These symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, sweating, and increased heart rate. These symptoms usually go away once the individual stops smoking.

Patches can support a “reduce to quit” approach for individuals who want to gradually cut down their smoking. This approach allows individuals to smoke fewer cigarettes, often by taking only a few puffs when needed. This gradual reduction can be a first step towards quitting completely.

A common concern about quitting smoking is gaining weight. However, the impact of quitting smoking is different for everybody. Some people may gain weight, lose weight, or stay the same weight.

The health benefits of quitting smoking far outweigh any risks connected to weight gain. For more information, consult Addressing Concerns About Weight Gain While Quitting Smoking.

Some people believe smoking or vaping relieves stress and anxiety; however, we know that nicotine use actually increases symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.

When a person vapes or smokes, their brain releases dopamine which gives a feeling of instant pleasure, making the brain want more nicotine. As smoking or vaping continues, the brain develops a tolerance, requiring higher amounts of nicotine to achieve those same pleasurable effects. When a person does not vape or smoke for a while, or if they try to reduce or quit, nicotine cravings persist and withdrawal symptoms can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression. When a person vapes or smokes to “relieve” these feelings of stress, they are actually relieving their nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This is the cycle of nicotine addiction.

Managing stress and anxiety through smoke-free strategies reduces the likelihood of relapse when quitting, and helps break the cycle of nicotine dependence.

Although it may feel like nicotine replacement therapy is expensive initially, it is generally only used for a limited time and is less than the cost of long-term smoking. The good news is that there are programs that can help with cost-free nicotine replacement therapy. Discover more information on available supports to quit smoking, as well as local programs and services.

Smoke-free and vape-free buildings

Many people living in multi-unit residences (e.g., apartments or condos) are exposed to second-hand smoke, even if they don’t want to be. Smoke can drift into their unit from nearby units.

It is illegal under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 to smoke or vape in the common areas of condominiums, apartments, or post-secondary residence buildings. This includes lobbies, elevators, stairwells, covered parking garages, and hallways.

It is the responsibility of the property owners and managers to make sure signage is posted as required under specific legislation. For information about the required signage, contact the Tobacco Information Line by email or by calling 613-549-1232, extension 1333.

There is no law that regulates smoking or vaping in a private, self-contained unit such as detached home, an apartment, or condominium.

Landlords can adopt no smoking clauses in their leases. For information on no-smoking, no-vaping policies, visit Smoke-Free Housing Ontario.

It is important to understand smoking and vaping laws.

Public disclosure of Smoke-Free Ontario Act conviction results

Southeast Public Health is required to publicly disclose all owner-related tobacco and vapour product sales offence convictions in the Southeast Public Health area on its website within two weeks of the conviction. Conviction reports must be published for five years.

Submit a complaint, report, or request for services related to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, in the Southeast Public Health area.

Disclaimer: Prospective buyers of tobacco retail dealer premises are strongly encouraged to contact the local public health unit to confirm premises conviction history. A premise with two or more tobacco sales convictions against any owner (past or present) at that address within a five-year period is subject to a Notice of Prohibition Against the Sale, Storage and Delivery of Tobacco Products (known as an automatic prohibition or “AP”). Section 22 of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 states that upon becoming aware that there are two or more convictions against any owner for tobacco sales offences committed at the same place within a five-year period, the Ministry of Health shall notify the owner(s) or occupant of the place that the sale, storage and delivery of tobacco products is prohibited at the place. The Ministry of Health accepts requests from public health units for automatic prohibitions where owner(s) of the business was or were convicted of tobacco sales offences on two occasions. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act convictions report published on public health units’ websites lists all owner-related tobacco sales convictions that are eligible for an automatic prohibition. Please note that automatic prohibitions do not apply to vapour product sales convictions.