Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Canada. In Windsor-Essex County 17.8% of residents are current, daily, or occasional smokers.
Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke are linked to cancer, heart disease, and several other diseases. For more information about smoking and the health effects it has on your body visit the Health Canada website.
Are you looking to quit using nicotine products such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes (e.g., vape pens, vapes, mods, hookah pens or e-hookahs), cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco, smokeless/chewing tobacco (snus or snuff) and or tobacco water pipe? Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and for most it can be a challenge. Remember, quitting is possible and there are supports across the community to help. To learn more about quitting smoking, and the different options you have for quitting visit ontario.ca/stopsmoking.
For local support, see the directory below or contact the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit to find which of the options will best meet your needs at 519-258-2146 ext.3100.
Quit Medications & Counselling
Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) Program
The STOP Program offers free tobacco/nicotine cessation treatment, including up to 26 weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and counselling support, to people who want to reduce/quit their use of commercial cigarettes and/or other tobacco/nicotine products (e.g., e-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, water pipe, etc.). The STOP Program operates within the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
For Individuals with a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner at these Organizations
The following organizations deliver the STOP program as tobacco/nicotine cessation treatment to rostered or registered patients in Windsor-Essex County:
- Amherstburg Family Health Team
519-736-7770 - CMHA Health Centre
519-971-0116 - Erie Shores Family Health Team
519-322-1100 - Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic - Windsor Site
519-946-0740 - Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic - Essex Site
519-776-6856 - Essex County Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic - Amherstburg Site
519-730-0446 - Harrow Family Health Team
519-738-2000 - Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre - Windsor Integrated Care Team
519-916-1755 - Windsor Family Health Team
519-250-5656
Ask your Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner about a referral to the Best Care Lung Health program, that includes the STOP Program.
For Individuals with a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner at other Primary Care Offices
Windsor Team Care Centre
519-250-5524
If you are a rostered patient with another Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner in Windsor-Essex County, you may be eligible for the STOP Program at Windsor Team Care Centre. Ask your Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner about a referral to the Best Care Lung Health program, that includes the STOP Program.
For Individuals that do not have a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner
If you are not a rostered or registered patient at any of the organizations listed above, you may be eligible for the STOP Program at these organizations.
Erie St. Clair Clinic – Windsor
519-977-9772
Erie St. Clair Clinic – Leamington
519-326-7742
Phone Counselling & Mailed Quit Medications
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU)
519-258-2146 ext. 3100
Up to 16 weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) mailed to you and phone counselling support to eligible individuals who want to reduce/quit their tobacco use.
University of Ottawa Heart Institute Quit Smoking Program
1-888-645-5405
Phone smoking cessation consultation, 6 weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) mailed to you and phone counselling support, in English or French, to eligible individuals who want to reduce their use of nicotine products (e.g., cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco or water pipe). Call and leave a message and you will be contacted by a Nicotine Addiction Treatment Specialist within 2 business days.
Mailed Quit Medications
STOP on the Net
This program mails 8 weeks of free quit smoking medication (NRT) to eligible individuals within 2 weeks of enrollment.
Counselling for Youth
New Beginnings
519-971-0973
1015 Highland Ave, Windsor and 1049 Janette Ave, Windsor
No-cost counselling for youth ages 12-21 who are interested in reducing or quitting smoking or vaping, facilitated one-on-one or in a group setting. No referral required. Phone to inquire.
Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex
519-800-8640
3640 Wells Street, Windsor
Drop-in single session counselling for youth to support managing substance use behaviours, such as quitting smoking or vaping.
Group Smoking Cessation
These organizations offer group based smoking cessation programs.
CMHA Health Centre
519-971-0116
Erie Shores Family Health Team
519-322-1100
Phone, Text & Online Quit Programs
Health811
8-1-1 or 1-866-797-0000 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007)
Support, information and counselling from a Quit Coach about quitting smoking, vaping and tobacco use by phone in English, French or interpreter service available in over 100 languages.
Smokers' Helpline
Text iQuit to 123456 or sign up on SmokersHelpline.ca.
Free text messaging chat support from a Quit Coach during business hours, scheduled messages customized to your quit date, and help to cope with cravings to quit smoking and/or vaping.
The website also includes free online live chat from Quit Coaches, anonymous supportive forums, tools, and a self-directed quit program.
Tobacco Talk
1-833-998-8255 (TALK) or text CHANGE to 123456
Free confidential culturally appropriate phone, online live chat, and text messaging support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities.
Lung Health Information Line
1-888-344-5864
Speak with a Certified Respiratory Educator about tools, information and support to help you become smoke-free or vape-free. The website includes a Journey to Quit Tooklit.
App Quit Programs
My Change Plan App
An app to help individuals quit, reduce or manage their tobacco cigarette smoking, developed by clinicians and researchers at the Nicotine Dependence Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Quash App
A judgement-free app to help youth (age 14 to 19) quit smoking or vaping.
Other Resources
Prescription Quit Medications
Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists can prescribe quit medications. Many of these health care providers have additional training in smoking cessation and may also be able to provide counseling.
Workplace Benefits Programs
Some workplace benefits have coverage for quit medications and counseling. Contact your workplace wellness program, human resources, or your group benefit plan provider for more information.
Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Coverage for Prescription Quit Medications
You may be eligible for prescription quit medications if you have OHIP coverage and are:
- age 18-24 and eligible for OHIP+
- age 65 or older
- living in a long-term care home
- living in a home for special care
- receiving professional home and community care services
- enrolled in the Trillium Drug Program
- enrolled in Ontario Disability Support Program
- enrolled in Ontario Works
Recipients are eligible for quit medications, including Champix® or Zyban®, and up to one year of smoking cessation counselling through their local pharmacy. To access the quit medications, the counselling is not mandatory. For more information talk to your local pharmacist.
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for First Nation and Inuit
Eligible First Nations and Inuit persons have coverage for prescription quit medication and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help quit smoking. For more information, talk to your healthcare provider or local pharmacist.
References
1. Statistics Canada. (2018). Health characteristics-Current Smoker, daily or occasional https://www150.statcan.gc.ca
All references to tobacco are to commercial tobacco products, unless stated otherwise. We recognize that many First Nations, Métis and Urban Indigenous Peoples have a sacred relationship with traditional tobacco.