Resources to help quit smoking and vaping

EDMONTON – National Non-Smoking Week runs Jan.19-25, a time to raise awareness of the benefits of quitting smoking and vaping, and to help people get started on a quit journey that works for them.

Resources are available to help those living in Alberta to quit smoking and vaping for good. With the right support, you can double or even triple your chance of staying vape or smoke-free and improve your health. Within 20 minutes of putting out your last cigarette, your blood pressure and heart rate go down with less stress on your heart and blood vessels.

Alberta Health Services offers programs and services to help you stop smoking and vaping. It may take more than one try to quit for good, so it’s important to never give up. Keep trying and use the resources that work for you:

• Call the AlbertaQuits helpline at 1-866-710-QUIT (7848) for free, confidential advice and support from a quit counsellor.
• Go to AlbertaQuits.ca for guidance and tools to build a quit plan.
• Text the word “ABQuits” to the number 123456 for free text messages to keep you motivated.
• Register for QuitCore, a group support program that teaches quit strategies and connects people who are trying to quit smoking and vaping. Call the AlbertaQuits helpline at 1-866-710-QUIT (7848) to find a QuitCore group in your local area or online.
• Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about medications that can boost your chances of staying quit. Some costs may be covered.
• Share your quit tips, hacks, and stories on social media with others using the hashtag #IamQuitting.

To learn more about support for quitting smoking or vaping, go to AlbertaQuits.ca. For more information on smoking, vaping, and your health, go to https://myhealth.alberta.ca/HealthTopics/Tobacco-Smoking-Vaping.

Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.