National

One More Hurdle Removed For B.C. Smokers Hoping To Quit In 2016

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Dec, 2015 02:05 PM

VANCOUVER — The B.C. government is making it easier for smokers who want to kick the habit in 2016.

Health Minister Terry Lake says starting Jan. 1, anyone who wants to quit no longer needs to call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to join the province's smoking cessation program.

Lake says smokers can sign up at any pharmacy and have access to free nicotine replacement therapy products.

Options include nicotine lozenges, inhalers, gum, the nicotine skin patch, as well as specific prescription drugs.

B.C. Pharmacy Association CEO Geraldine Vance says pharmacists are committed to helping patients lead healthier lives and want to assist smokers with making 2016 the year they quit successfully.

The smoking cessation program began in 2011 and the province says it has invested more than $38-million since then, helping more than 187,000 people try to kick the habit.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Telus To Cut Workforce By 1,500 Positions In Effort To Cut Annual Costs By Up To $125 Million

The Vancouver-based company, which operates one of Canada's biggest telecommunications networks, provided few details about the downsizing except that many of the cuts include voluntary departures and early retirements.

Telus To Cut Workforce By 1,500 Positions In Effort To Cut Annual Costs By Up To $125 Million

New Liberal Government Reinstating Long-Form Census, But Won't Talk Penalties

Navdeep Bains, the minister of innovation, science and economic development, said the new government is focused on evidence-based decision-making over ideology.

New Liberal Government Reinstating Long-Form Census, But Won't Talk Penalties

Justin Trudeau Relaxes Conservative Control Of Diplomats, Urges Them To Engage

Trudeau sent a letter Wednesday to the ambassadors and high commissioners of Canada's foreign missions telling them he and his cabinet will be relying on their judgment and insight to advance Canada's foreign policy goals.

Justin Trudeau Relaxes Conservative Control Of Diplomats, Urges Them To Engage

Saskatoon Children With Rare Disease To Have $500,000 Drug Covered By Province

Muhammed Akhter says when he got the phone call from the health minister he had to ask the woman on the line three times to repeat what she was saying. He calls it "life-changing news."

Saskatoon Children With Rare Disease To Have $500,000 Drug Covered By Province

Newfoundland And Labrador On Verge Of Provincial Election Call For Nov. 30

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Voters in Newfoundland and Labrador will go to the polls on Nov. 30 in a provincial election that was scheduled to formally start on Thursday.

Newfoundland And Labrador On Verge Of Provincial Election Call For Nov. 30

Ontario Reviewing Consumer Protections For Owners Of New Homes

Ontario has appointed Douglas Cunningham, the former associate chief justice of the Ontario Superior Court, to review the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act and the Tarion Warranty Corporation.