BC Smoking Cessation Program

Addictions / Substance Use and Public Health

Provided by BC Ministry of Health

BC PharmaCare's Smoking Cessation Program helps eligible B.C residents of any age stop using tobacco products.
PharmaCare pays:
  • The full cost of nicotine gum, lozenges and patches (nicotine replacement therapy or NRT) or
  • Some or all of the cost of certain smoking cessation prescription drugs may be covered, depending on the individual's PharmaCare plan
How does it work?
  • Each calendar year (January to December), individuals can receive PharmaCare coverage for one continuous course of treatment of up to 12 weeks (84 days) for either NRT or prescription medication. A one-month supply is provided at a time. The 12-week coverage period begins on the date the first NRT product is picked up or the first prescription is filled.
  • If smoking continues at the end of the treatment, coverage for another course of treatment may be available in the following year (starting January 1), provided eligibility criteria are met again.
  • After the first month's supply is picked up, there are 84 days to request the remaining prescription or NRT supplies. After that, additional coverage is not available until the next calendar year, when PharmaCare may resume cost assistance for these products. To complete the full course of treatment within the calendar year, the latest treatment can begin is November 6.
Note: If NRTs are included in the smoking cessation plan and treatment must be paused before completing the 12-week course, PharmaCare can be contacted to request coverage for the remainder of the course when treatment is ready to resume.

For more information on how to get gum, lozenges and patches, smoking cessation prescription drugs, or switching between NRTs and prescription drugs, visit the website.

Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content...

Cost: No cost

Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by BC Ministry of Health:

Availability

Service area: Province-wide + show cities

Service area cities: 100 Mile House, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Aldergrove, Alert Bay, Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Anmore, Armstrong, Ashcroft, Atlin, Bamfield, Banff, Barriere, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Black Creek, Blue River, Boston Bar, Bowen Island, Brentwood Bay, Burnaby, Burns Lake, Cache Creek, Calgary, Campbell River, Canmore, Castlegar, Cathedral Grove, Cawston, Chase, Chemainus, Cherryville, Chetwynd, Chilliwack, Christina Lake, Clearwater, Clinton, Cobble Hill, Comox, Coombs, Coquitlam, Cortes Island, Courtenay, Cranbrook, Crawford Bay, Creston, Cumberland, Daajing Giids, Dawson Creek, Dease Lake, Deep Bay, Delta, Denman Island, Duncan, Edgewood, Elkford, Enderby, Fanny Bay, Fernie, Fort Langley, Fort Nelson, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, Fraser Lake, Fruitvale, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gibsons, Golden, Gold River, Grand Forks, Granisle, Greenwood, Hanceville, Harrison Mills, Hazelton, Hope, Hornby Island, Horne Lake, Houston, Hudson's Hope, Invermere, Kamloops, Kaslo, Kelowna, Keremeos, Kimberley, Kitimat, Kyuquot, Ladner, Ladysmith, Lake Country, Lake Cowichan, Langford, Langley, Lantzville, Lethbridge, Lillooet, Lions Bay, Logan Lake, Long Beach, Lumby, Lytton, Mackenzie, Maple Ridge, Masset, Mayne Island, McBride, Merritt, Merville, Midway, Mill Bay, Mission, Nakusp, Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay, Nelson, New Aiyansh, New Denver, New Westminster, Nitinaht, North Delta, North Saanich, North Vancouver, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Oyama, Parksville, Peachland, Pemberton, Pender Harbour, Pender Island, Penelakut Island, Penticton, Pitt Meadows, Port Alberni, Port Alice, Port Coquitlam, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Port Moody, Powell River, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Princeton, Quadra Island, Qualicum Beach, Quathiaski Cove, Quesnel, Revelstoke, Richmond, Riske Creek, Rock Creek, Rossland, Saanich, Saanichton, Salmo, Salmon Arm, Salt Spring Island, Sardis, Saturna Island, Sayward, Scotch Creek, Sechelt, Shawnigan Lake, Sicamous, Sidney, Skidegate, Slocan, Smithers, Sointula, Sooke, Sorrento, South Surrey, Sparwood, Spences Bridge, Squamish, Stewart, Summerland, Sun Peaks, Surrey, Tahsis, Tatla Lake, Telkwa, Terrace, Tofino, Trail, Tsawwassen, Tumbler Ridge, Ucluelet, Valemount, Vancouver, Vanderhoof, Vernon, Victoria, West Kelowna, West Vancouver, Whistler, White Rock, Williams Lake, Winlaw, Witset, and Yale

Service Types Provided
Addictions / Substance Use
Public Health

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