Nicotine replacement therapies will be available to all B.C. smokers at no cost and smoking cessation prescription drugs will be covered under PharmaCare, Premier Christy Clark announced Monday, May 9.
"Every year tobacco-related deaths rob us needlessly of friends, family and loved ones," said Clark in a news release. "Tobacco is the largest single cause of premature death and disease in our province and while a lot of progress has been made, there is still more we can do. This program will provide smokers with a new level of direct support to quit, to live smoke-free, and to improve their own health as well as the health of their families."
Starting Sept. 30, 2011, British Columbians will have the choice of either nicotine gum or patches to help quit tobacco with a free supply for up to 12 weeks, or obtaining coverage of prescribed smoking cessation drugs through PharmaCare. The program will cost an estimated $15 to $25 million, based on the number of individuals who use the program.
During the coming months, the Ministry of Health will work with groups such as the B.C. Lung Association, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon, the Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon Division, BC Pharmacy Association, pharmaceutical manufacturers, health authorities and the BC Medical Association on the best way to implement the program, including how to distribute nicotine gum and patches.
"Providing coverage for these cessation therapies is a significant step forward in helping even more British Columbians break their dependency on tobacco," said Heart & Stroke Foundation chief operating officer Diego Marchese. "For some people wanting to quit, having to pay for these therapies is a barrier in helping them achieve success. Providing this additional support is certain to make a difference."
As part of the consultation, government will look at ensuring the provision of nicotine replacement therapies and smoking cessation prescription drugs is looked at through a rural lens, making sure products are accessible to all B.C. smokers, regardless of where they live.
While B.C. has the lowest smoking rate in Canada at 14.9 per cent, there are approximately 550,000 British Columbians who smoke. An estimated 70 per cent of smokers in B.C. want to quit.
Currently, QuitNow Services offers British Columbian smokers a confidential helpline (1-877-455-2233) with information available in 130 languages and an online quit community where professional and peer support is available 24/7. As well, quitters can sign up for email quit tips and text messages, join QuitNow's Twitter and Facebook page and explore interactive quit tools and resources at: www.quitnow.ca.
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