Quit or Reduce Smoking & Nicotine
When it comes to smoking, it's good to be a quitter.
Pharmacists are effective in providing a smoking cessation program and contributing to patient quit rates. They help smokers quit or reduce their use by providing behavioural counselling, creating a plan, recommending nicotine replacement therapy, prescribing medication and/or scheduling follow-up visits.
Smoking is a risk factor for many disease states and its adverse effects contribute to cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease and other health risks.
The longer you’ve quit, the more you get...
- 20 minutes - your heart rate drops towards a normal level
- 8 hours - carbon monoxide level drops in your body and oxygen level in your blood increase to normal
- 48 hours - your sense of smell and taste improves
- 72 hours - breathing becomes easier
- 2 weeks - the nicotine is gone from your body
- 1 year - your risk of heart disease is half of what it used to be before you became a quitter
- 10 years - your risk of dying from lung cancer is cut in half
Pharmacy Services
Comprehensive Nicotine Reduction Support Program
A pharmacist will meet with you to discuss your readiness to reduce/quit smoking, vaping or other nicotine products and the benefits of doing so. Pharmacist will provide behavioral counseling, create a quit plan, recommend nicotine replacement therapy with over the counter products or may prescribe medications. They will provide you with resources to help in quitting, set goals and schedule follow up visits to reassess the plan/goals.
Medication to Quit/Reduce Use of Nicotine
Quitting or reducing nicotine use can be an exceptionally difficult challenge to face alone. Fortunately, pharmacists are equipped to provide medical management that may support you on your journey. Options may include nicotine replacement therapy of various dosage forms, as well as other prescription medications such as varenicline, buproprion and more. This service is for medication and nicotine replacement assessment only.
There is no fee for this service with your valid Nova Scotia Health Card at Nova Scotia pharmacies and pharmacy clinics.
