Resources for quitting smoking

I want to quit smoking. Where can I find help?

Choosing to stop smoking is a difficult step. By making this change, you are improving your health by living a healthier lifestyle. There are resources to help you. 

At Waterloo, we recognize it's important to foster a supportive environment for people who are trying to reduce or stop using tobacco while creating a healthier living, learning, and working environment for all members of the University community.

The following are a selection of resources that may help you in your goal to quit smoking. This list is by no means an exhaustive. Further resources to support you will be added. 

• Smokers' Helpline has proven, free and personalized tools to help you quit successfully. Free and confidential, they offer support and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use, and help you develop a personal quit plan and refer you to programs and services in your community. And if you want to support someone who’s trying to quit, we can give you tips on how to help.
  • Check out the Smokers' Helpline's Text Support Messaging: Users simply need to text the words iquit to the number 123456 to begin receiving text message support from our Quit Coaches.  Live Text-to-Chat is also available when users text the word CHAT to the number 123456 for additional support. 

• The Lung Association - Before you set your quit date, you need to prepare. Take time to think about when, where, and why you smoke. If you understand your smoking habits and triggers, you’ll have a better chance at success. Visit The Lung Association's website

• Smoke Free Curious is a national and bilingual tobacco cessation social marketing campaign that aims to support Canadian adult tobacco users aged 35-64 to quit their commercial tobacco use. Quitting is easier with the right tools. People who use tools or resources are generally more successful in their quit attempts. Our website and social media channels offer tips, resources and motivational support from other people who are also on their quit smoking journey. Explore Tools & Tips

• Quit Coaches through Health 811 (Telephone support): Call 811 (TTY: 1-866- 797-0007) provides access to a quit coaches/nurses available via phone call that will help someone access local resources and free nicotine replacement therapy

• Speak with your family physician, who may be able to provide support and further resources

• E-Cigarettes and Vaping information and supports that may guide users with their decision-making on using such devices

• First Week Challenge - Quit smoking or vaping for the first 7 days of the month, and you could win $500! People who successfully quit for the first week are 9 times more likely to quit for good. We can help get you started. 

• Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) is a province-wide initiative delivering s​​moking cessation treatment (up to 26 weeks of NRT) and counselling support to people who ​want to reduce/quit their tobac​co use. 
  • Employees should inquire with their family physician/community health centre to determine if they offer the STOP program.
• STOP on the Net from Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides up to 10 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy that is mailed directly to your home.

• SmokeFreeCurious.ca: When you are trying to quit smoking, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, like the patch and gum, can help to reduce the discomfort associated with nicotine cravings and withdrawal. Order Free NRT

• Nicotine replacement therapy can also be purchased over the counter at pharmacies

• Government of Ontario: Stopping Smoking Resources
• Government of Canada: Stopping Smoking Resources 

• Stop Vaping Challenge app - iPhone only

• Quash App - iPhone or Android

• Crush the Crave App - iPhone or Android

• Breaking Free: Wellness - iPhone or Android

• The Ontario Drug Benefit includes coverage to help you quit smoking:

  • up to a year of pharmacist-assisted counselling (talk to your pharmacist or health care provider)
  • drugs (Champix or Zyban) if you are age 18 years or older
  • Interested students and employees should confirm their eligibility and coverage.

• Campus Wellness/Counselling Services: Students can access a counsellor trained in smoking and vaping cessation counselling (Note: Emma Boynton provides this service.)

  • Counselling Services provides in-person services as well as through phone and video. To book an appointment, please call 519-888-4096.

• Campus Wellness/Health Services - Connect with supports through Health Services to aid in quitting smoking. 

  • Health Services is currently providing all medical services through in-person appointments. To book an appointment, please call 519-888-4096. 

• Undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Waterloo have access to Empower Me—a mental health and wellness service that seeks to contribute to a resilient student community by supporting existing on-campus and Studentcare mental health resources.

• Notanexperiment.ca - Information and support on vaping. 

Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP): Through Health Services, students can request a smoking/vaping cessation appointment at Health Services to meet with a physician trained in smoking cessation counselling and then, if eligible, receive up to 26 weeks of free NRT, or more information.

• Students can access Campus Wellness/Health Services for a prescription for smoking cessation medication.  To book an appointment, call 519-888-4096.
  • Note: Prescription smoking cessation medication is not covered by UHIP
  • Exception Process: If the drugs covered are not effective in treating the condition, an exception process is in place through our on-campus office in UW Health Services, room 1006. The Health Services medical director reviews each exception request and may also approve the usage of smoking cessation devices, up to a maximum of 90 days per lifetime. WUSA Student Plan’s Drug Coverage.
• Students may be eligible for coverage of prescription smoking cessation medication through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program. Interested students should confirm their eligibility and coverage.
• Students can speak with their doctor about a prescription for smoking cessation medication.
  • Note: Prescription smoking cessation medication is not covered by UHIP. Students should check with their health benefits provider.

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) through Homewood Health offers Life Smart Coaching. This support provides options such as an online smoking cessation e-Course, printed materials, and one-on-one coaching
  • EFAP is available to employees who are in regular ongoing positions or with an employment arrangement of two years or more.

  • Eligible employees can log into their account at: www.homeweb.ca
    The account name is: UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO 
    The invitation code is: UAL823

  • Perform a key word search for Smoking cessation program OR call the Homewood client services centre at: 1.800.663.1142 (English)

• Employees can also use their extended health benefits to access support from a registered mental health professional. Employees should consult Green Shield to confirm their coverage

• Employees can access their family physician for a prescription for smoking cessation medication

  • Note: Prescription smoking cessation medication is not covered by the employee health benefits provided by GreenShield

Note: The following resources have been designed by and for Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. 

• Talk Tobacco provides culturally specific, free and confidential support and information about quitting smoking or vaping. Program services were created with input and guidance from First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, community members and healthcare providers.

  • Talk Tobacco services are available in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. We have bilingual and interpreter services in over 16 Indigenous languages. Open 7 days a week (except statutory holidays). Hours vary by province.

    Call 1-833-998-8255 (TALK)
    Text CHANGE to 123456
    Join and follow us on Facebook
• Indigenous Tobacco Program with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to reduce and prevent commercial tobacco addiction
• First Nations Health Authority - Respecting Tobacco and World No Tobacco Day

• Tobacco Wise | Indigenous Tobacco Program - workshops help First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities to create supportive environments for tobacco prevention, cessation and protection.

• Indigenous individuals may be able to access Wellbutrin through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program for registered First Nations and recognized Inuit.

• First Nations Health Authority Youth Respecting Tobacco 
• In addition to accessing any of the other resources above, students are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Indigenous Relations or the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC)

• The Expand Project is striving to both start and expand conversations around nicotine and tobacco among queer and trans young adults ages 18-29. Informed by, and made for queer and trans young adults to create and share accurate information and resources encouraging folks to reflect on our own smoking and vaping use both personally, and as a larger community. Explore the Expand Project's series of videos on TikTok and Instagram that answer questions young queer and trans folks have about smoking, vaping, and the role of tobacco in our communities.