Build a Stronger You

Tobacco

The 7000 chemicals found in cigarette smoke, and the 4000 chemicals found in chewing tobacco, interferes with, and harms the immune system. This will put a commercial tobacco user at risk of more severe and longer-lasting viral and bacterial infections, especially of the lungs (for example, pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis).

Being exposed to tobacco, whether through using it yourself or through second or third hand smoke, also puts you at risk for more than 16 different kinds of cancer and many other diseases like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.

Being tobacco-free is one of the most important things a person can do to maintain good health and reduce their risks of early death.

Smoking is not just a bad habit; it is a serious addiction.

Nicotine (the addictive substance in tobacco) is one of the most addictive substances in the world. Quitting can be very difficult but every attempt to quit is a success. Sometimes, It can take a person 10, 20, 30, or more attempts to quit for good. Never give up.

With every attempt, a person learns something new and is one step closer to quitting for good.   

Help is available

If you want to cut back or quit tobacco, ask for help! Combining counselling from a health care provider with quit aids can make a tobacco user eight times more likely to quit than trying to quit on their own.

What resources and services are available?

Health Services

  • Book an appointment at your local health centre for help in quitting smoking. A health care provider can help by going over all the options available to you in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and prescription medications. The NWT covers the cost of the tobacco quit aids, more information is found here.

NWT Help Line

  • The NWT Help Line (recently merged with the NWT Quitline) is a great resource as Care Coaches work with you to identify triggers, help with changing behaviors, develop a quit plan and offer support.

Quit Kits:

  • Quit Kits contain many resources and tools to help you on your quit journey. This video shows what is included in the kit. Please email healthpromotion@gov.nt.ca to request a kit or visit your local health centre.

Self-Help Book

  • Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking book is one of the most effective quit smoking self-help books in the world. Please email healthpromotion@gov.nt.ca to request a copy.

NRT trial packs

  • Health Canada has launched a new national campaign that include incentives, contests, and a free Nicotine Replacement Therapy trial pack. More information can be found here.

Tobacco webpage

  • Visit www.gov.nt.ca/tobacco to see the Department of Health and Social Services’ tobacco website as it has many great resources and offers tips and tricks for people interested in quitting smoking.

Weight Management

  • Many people often worry about weight gain when quitting smoking. If this is something that is a concern to you (or if you would like to learn more about healthy eating), visit the Dietitian Services & Programs page.

Build a Stronger You by quitting or reducing your tobacco use.