PharmaCare will cover one of two types of drugs:
You can get coverage for up to 12 weeks of either of these drugs. Coverage is based on your income level and Pharmacare plan.
People who are on Pharmacare plan B, C, W or G are covered for the full cost of the prescription. Those registered for Fair Pharmacare may have to pay part or all of the cost.
Take a prescription from your doctor to the pharmacy of your choice. Your will be asked to sign a Declaration form.
Prescription drug coverage is available to any BC resident who:
Visit the PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation website.
For more information about your eligibility, call PharmaCare from the Lower Mainland at 604-683-7151 and from the rest of BC, call toll-free at 1-800-663-7100.
Register for Fair PharmaCare either online or by phoning Health Insurance BC: from the Lower Mainland call at 604-683-7151 and from the rest of BC, call toll-free at 1-800-663-7100. Registration is free and there are no premiums to pay.
Varenicline (Champix®) is one of two prescription medications covered under the BC Smoking Cessation program.
Evidence suggests that varenicline is the most effective medication for helping people quit. When used as directed, there is evidence that varenicline can increase your chances of quitting successfully.
Varenicline works by changing the way the brain reacts to nicotine. It makes it harder to get pleasure from nicotine and also helps to reduce cravings by blocking the receptor in the brain that responds to nicotine. Other advantages include:
Varenicline is available as a pill that you take by mouth.
As with any prescription medication, there are benefits and risks to taking varenicline. Health Canada has determined that for varenicline, the benefits outweigh the risks.
Talk to your doctor if you have any changes in cardiovascular symptoms, including:
Get emergency medical help right away if you have symptoms of a stroke, including:
Do not use varenicline if one of the following applies to you:
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist about whether varenicline is right for you if one of the following applies to you:
Stop taking varenicline and speak to your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Bupropion (Zyban®) is one of two prescription medications covered under the PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation program.
When used as directed, there is evidence that buproprion can increase your chances of quitting successfully.
Buproprion is a prescription-only drug treatment that works by changing the brain's response to nicotine. It makes smoking less pleasurable and reduces cravings while you work on your smoking habits. Other advantages include:
Bupropion is available as a pill that you take by mouth.
As with any prescription medication, there are benefits and risks to taking bupropion. Health Canada has determined that for bupropion, the benefits outweigh the risks.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist about whether bupropion is right for you if one of the following applies to you:
Stop bupropion and speak to your doctor or healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
Each calendar year, eligible BC residents can receive coverage for up to 3 months (continuous) of any of the following NRTs:
You now can get your fully covered supply of NRT just by visiting your local pharmacy. Both you and the pharmacist must sign a declaration form. You do not need a prescription from your doctor.
Note: However, you may want to talk to your pharmacist or doctor to determine what is the best choice for you. This is especially important if you:
Any British Columbian is eligible to receive fully covered NRT who:
When used as directed, there is evidence it can increase your chances of successfully quitting.
Nicotine gum is not like regular gum. If used incorrectly, you are more likely to experience side effects, including:
Note: The taste of nicotine gum can be unpleasant at first but most people get used to it with regular use.
If you have an active jaw disease or jaw/dental pain you should use a different form of nicotine replacement therapy, as these conditions will make it difficult to use the gum.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist prior to starting the gum if the following apply to you:
Stop using the nicotine gum immediately and see your doctor if you experience the following:
Each calendar year, eligible BC residents can receive a up to a three month supply of Nicorette® gum (2 mg, 4 mg) through the PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation Program. You can find more information about how to access this program here.
When used as directed, there is evidence it can increase your chances of successfully quitting.
Note: There are two strengths of lozenges so talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which strength is right for you.
For more information on appropriate dosage, read the package insert or consult your physician or pharmacist.
Do not use the nicotine lozenge if you are:
Consult your pharmacist or physician prior to using the nicotine lozenge if the following apply to you:
Each calendar year, eligible BC residents can receive up to a three month supply of Nicorette® lozenges (2 mg, 4 mg) through the PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation Program. You can find more information about how to access this program here.
When used as directed, there is evidence it can increase your chances of successfully quitting.
Note: Remove the patch and consult your doctor if you experience chest pain, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, leg pain or persistent stomach upset while using the patch.
Note: For more info on getting the proper dosage, read the package insert, consult with your physician, pharmacist or contact our QuitLine at 1.877.455.2233 and speak with a Quit Coach.
Do not use the patch if you have severe eczema, psoriasis or other generalized skin disorders.
Consult your pharmacist or physician prior to using the patch if the following apply to you:
Stop using the patch immediately and see your doctor if you have:
Coverage of Nicotine Patches for BC Residents
Each calendar year, eligible BC residents can receive a up to a three month supply of Nicoderm® patch (7 mg, 14 mg, 21 mg) through the PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation Program. You can find more information about how to access this program here.
When used as directed, there is evidence it can increase your chances of successfully quitting.
Consult your pharmacist or physician prior to using the inhaler if the following apply to you:
Stop using the inhaler immediately and see your doctor if you have:
Each calendar year, eligible BC residents can receive up to a three month supply of Nicorette® inhaler and cartridges (10 mg) through the PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation Program. You can find more information about how to access this program here.
The spray is NOT covered under The PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation Program.
When used as directed, there is evidence it can increase your chances of successfully quitting.
Consult your pharmacist or physician prior to using the nicotine mouth spray if the following apply to you:
Stop using the nicotine mouth spray immediately and see your doctor if you have:
Currently, Nicotine Mouth Spray is not covered under the PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation Program. Availability and price varies by pharmacy.
Combination NRT is using two forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to increase your chance of successfully quitting, as follows:
Combining a long-acting nicotine patch with a short-acting NRT like nicotine gum, when used as directed, can increase quit rates compared to using a single NRT product.
Combination NRT may be appropriate for people who:
• Have used NRT in previous quit attempts but relapsed while using it.
• Feel they need something more than a patch or other single form of NRT to deal with intense cravings to smoke.
Talk to your doctor prior to using any kind of combination therapy, including combining NRTs, or combining prescription smoking cessation therapy with NRTs. Be sure to review how to use each NRT product properly, including the warnings and precautions for each product.
Cytisine is a compound found in some plants. It works by blocking the effects of nicotine to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. If you start smoking again while taking cytisine, you won't feel as satisfied. This improves your chances of quitting.
In Canada, one product containing cytisine (brandname Cravv®) has been licensed for sale as a natural health product. This term includes products such as vitamins and minerals, herbal medicines and other alternative and traditional medicines.
When combined with brief behavioral support, cytisine was found to be superior to nicotine replacement therapy in helping smokers quit smoking, but it was associated with a higher frequency of self-reported adverse events (nausea, vomiting and sleep disorders).
Advantages
Cytisine works by changing the way the body reacts to nicotine. It makes it harder to get pleasure from nicotine and also helps to reduce cravings by blocking the receptor in the body that responds to nicotine. Other advantages include:
Common side effects
How to use
Cytisine is available as a pill that you take by mouth and is available as a natural health product. The manufacturer recommends users to:
Warnings & precautions
Do not use cytisine if one of the following applies to you:
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist about whether cytisine is right for you if one of the following applies to you:
Stop taking cytisine and speak to your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
If you are a smoker, quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to improve your health. There is free support to help you quit, including QuitNow’s counselling services and medications covered by BC PharmaCare.
Completely replacing cigarette smoking with a vaping product like E-Cigarettes will reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. If you are not a current smoker, vaping can increase your exposure to some harmful substances that could negatively affect your health.
Vaping is less harmful than smoking, and switching from tobacco cigarettes to vaping products will reduce a person's exposure to many toxic and cancer-causing chemicals.
Health Canada states that as a step towards quitting cigarettes, many smokers may go through a transition period when they use both cigarettes and vaping products. Studies have shown short-term general health improvements in those who have completely switched from smoking cigarettes to vaping products.
E-cigarettes are available in many shapes and sizes. Some are small and look like USB drives or pens, while others are much larger. Most vaping devices consist of a:
Most devices use electrical power from a battery to heat a liquid solution, which becomes vaporized. The vapour then condenses into an aerosol, which is inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece.
Yes, effective May 2018, adults can now legally get vaping products with nicotine. However, vaping products that are produced, advertised, imported or sold in Canada are subject to a number of laws. The goals of these laws are:
For more information on these laws, see the Health Canada website.
In British Columbia, the rules for both smoking and vaping are similar. The law bans smoking and vaping in all indoor public/work spaces and within 6 metres of most public/workplace doors, open windows and air intakes and schools. Some communities may have rules that make buffer zones larger than 6 metres. For more information, see the Ministry of Health webpage on tobacco and vapour free places.
Quitting smoking can be difficult, and there are other proven, safe, and effective methods for quitting smoking (see medications section above). However, vaping products and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a less harmful way than smoking, and may reduce health risks for smokers who are unwilling or unable to:
While evidence is still emerging, there is limited evidence that e-cigarette use is linked to improved rates of success when quitting.
If you are not a smoker, vaping can increase your exposure to some harmful chemicals that could negatively affect your health. Vaping could also expose you to nicotine, which is addictive.
There are also concerns about the appeal of vaping products among youth and their potential to encourage tobacco use. There is clear evidence that nicotine exposure during adolescence adversely affects cognitive function and development and using vaping products that contain nicotine could potentially lead to addiction.
If you are a smoker however, vaping is a less harmful option than smoking.
Health risks of vaping
There are a number of health concerns relating to vaping, including the presence of nicotine, other harmful chemicals, exposure to second-hand vape, and device malfunctions.
Vaping with nicotine: Nicotine is not known to cause cancer. It is approved for use in nicotine replacement therapies, such as the patch or nicotine gum. However, there are risks linked to nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Vaping could result in symptoms of nicotine dependence.
Children and youth are especially susceptible to the negative effects of nicotine, including addiction. Nicotine is known to alter brain development and can affect memory and concentration. It may also predispose youth to addiction to nicotine and possibly other drugs.
In some cases, vaping liquid containers have enough nicotine to be poisonous to young children. Children must be prevented from getting vaping liquid.
Health risks of other chemicals in vaping: There are health risks linked to other chemicals found in vaping products. While the main liquids in vaping products are considered safe for use in many consumer products, the long-term safety of inhaling them is unknown and continues to be assessed.
The heating of the liquid during vaping can cause new chemicals to be created. Some contaminants might also get into the vaping products and then into the vapour.
Second-hand vapour: Bystanders can also be exposed to vapour that is exhaled by users. The health effects to non-users from exposure to second-hand vapour are still unknown. While the risks from vapour are expected to be much lower than tobacco smoke, Health Canada recommends that users be cautious around non-users and youth.
Device malfunctions: Injuries from vaping product malfunctions, including explosions and fires, have occurred. For more information on product safety requirements, and how to protect yourself, read about vaping product, safety and regulation.
More information
In British Columbia, the sale, display, promotion and use of e-cigarettes are regulated under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulations.
The reduce to quit method has proven to increase your chances of quit success in the long-term.
The reduce to quit method involves gradually reducing tobacco intake while using NRT products like nicotine gum or lozenges, to help manage nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This approach is often done over a six-month period, or until the person reaches the point where stopping completely can be achieved.
Weeks 1-6
Weeks 7-16
Week 17-24
Acupuncture, hypnosis, relaxation, and meditation are alternative approaches and treatments to quitting smoking that some people use.
While there are stories of quit success using these methods, there is no consistent, bias-free scientific evidence to show that these approaches help people quit for six months or more. However, quitting smoking is a personal journey, and if you find something that is safe and works for you, then stick with it. What's important is that you find an approach that you are comfortable with and have confidence in.
Remember, that if one approach doesn’t work, you can always try another that’s proven to increase your chances of quit success.
Quitting cold turkey means quitting abruptly without using any quit smoking aids or support. While it might work for some, unfortunately there are fewer than 5% who are able to successfully quit using this method. This is because many just aren't prepared for the intensity of withdrawal and urges to smoke around every corner. Going cold turkey to quit can be difficult, and most people relapse without support.
Consider combining your willpower efforts with other evidence-based quit methods that are proven to increase your chances of quit success.
