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

Liberal Wave Reaches Metro Vancouver As Rest Of B.C. Splits Along Party Lines

The map of election winners in British Columbia mirrored the political spectrum after Monday's election — NDP on the left, Conservatives on the right and Liberals down the middle.

Liberal Wave Reaches Metro Vancouver As Rest Of B.C. Splits Along Party Lines

19 Indian-Canadians Elected To Canadian Parliament

The Indian-Canadians more than doubled their representation in the Canadian parliament from eight to 19 as Canadians voted out the Conservative Party by handing out a landslide to the Liberal Party on Monday.

19 Indian-Canadians Elected To Canadian Parliament

Justin Trudeau Emerges As Political Force In Own Right, Out From Father's Shadow

OTTAWA — It seems somehow fitting that the son of the man who first fired up political passion in Stephen Harper should be the person to usher him out of politics.

Justin Trudeau Emerges As Political Force In Own Right, Out From Father's Shadow

In D.C. Bar, Canadians Involved In Foreign Affairs Cheer End Of The Harper Era

It was a scene of cheers, high-fives, and sighs of relief about the demise of a Harper-era foreign policy they'd disdained for a decade, often in silence.

In D.C. Bar, Canadians Involved In Foreign Affairs Cheer End Of The Harper Era

Justin Trudeau Begins Healing Process After Divisive Election Campaign

MONTREAL — Justin Trudeau used his maiden speech as prime minister-designate to start the healing process for wounds torn open during a divisive election campaign.

Justin Trudeau Begins Healing Process After Divisive Election Campaign

First Nations Look Forward To New Relationship With Ottawa: Chiefs

Some of Canada's top First Nations leaders say the federal election awoke a sleeping giant that the incoming Liberal government will have to contend with.