If you're ready to quit, or you have already quit but are afraid you might slip, call QuitNow By Phone at 1-877-455-2233. It’s a free smoking cessation helpline available around the clock for all residents of BC. Trained Care Coaches will help you develop a quit plan, deal with cravings and tricky situations, and provide on-going support throughout your quit.

Remember, quitting smoking is tough, but it's easier when you have help. Call now and double your chance of quitting with support from QuitNow.

Who should call?

Care Coaches are available to help people who are calling for a whole variety of reasons, including:

• A smoker who wants to quit today
• A special program for someone who’s already quit but needs more support
• A panic caller who has already quit but is feeling like they might have a cigarette
• Someone who is considering quitting smoking but just wants general information on quitting, or information on how to support a friend or family member to quit

QuitNow provides translation services in 130 languages, as well as TTY service for the deaf and hearing impaired.

How does the program work?

When you call, a professional representative will take your contact information and collect some information about your smoking history. If you are ready to set a quit date, you will be paired up with a Care Coach who will help you develop a personalized plan, deal with cravings and guide you through the quitting process.

Once you enroll, you will receive at least five call backs from your Care Coach to support your quit. Any information that you discuss with your Care Coach is completely confidential. Here is what to expect on your calls:

Care Coach Call #1

On your first scheduled call, your coach will assess your readiness to quit, help you pick a quit date, and help establish a quit plan that includes tips and tools to get you ready. You will also discuss whether quit smoking medications are a possibility. Your coach will schedule the second call for a time that works with your schedule.

Care Coach Call #2

Your Care Coach will call you about 2 days before your quit date to review your quit plan and help you address difficult situations that might trip you up. They’ll also check in to see how you’re feeling about your quit date, and reinforce your decision to quit on your chosen date. Your Coach will also schedule your third call.

Care Coach  Call #3

Quit Day! Your Care Coach will call you on your scheduled quit date to see how you are doing and how the quitting medications are working (if you are using them). They will review quitting tips and ways to deal with tough situations, answer any questions you have, and arrange for the fourth call.

Care Coach Call #4

Your Care Coach will call you a couple of days after your quit date to check on your progress, review the challenges, and reinforce your reasons for quitting.  Your Care Coach will help you with new coping strategies, help you get back on track if you’ve had a slip, and schedule your fifth call.

Care Coach Call #5

Your Care Coach will make a final call seven days after your quit date to see how you are doing, provide support and help you plan for your tobacco-free future. While this is your final scheduled call, your Care Coach will invite you to call back at any time if you experience any difficulties. Don't feel bad if you have a slip - quitting is a process, and our Care Coaches will help you get back on track.