Your last
cigarette.

Yes. Nicotine dependence is within BC pharmacists' prescribing scope, so you can be assessed and receive medication the same day without a physician appointment.

Varenicline (Champix) acts on nicotine receptors in the brain, reducing both cravings and the reward from smoking. It is usually taken over about 12 weeks, starting before your quit date.

Patches in multiple strengths, gum in 2 mg and 4 mg, lozenges, inhaler and mouth spray. Combining a patch with a fast-acting product works better than either alone for most people.

The BC Smoking Cessation Program covers nicotine replacement therapy for eligible residents at no cost, and PharmaCare covers prescription cessation medications. We will check exactly what applies to you.

No. Our counselling is free.

Yes, and multiple attempts are the norm rather than the exception — nicotine dependence is a physical dependence, not a character flaw. Combining medication with pharmacist support markedly improves the odds, and each attempt tells us something useful for the next one.

Only if you want to, and only when you want to. Many people in OAT smoke, and hardly any are ever offered proper help with it. The offer is open whenever you decide — we will not bring it up otherwise.

Most plans run about 12 weeks. Varenicline involves setting a quit date within the first two weeks. NRT courses typically run 8 to 12 weeks, and some people do better with a longer, lower-dose stretch.