People undergoing treatment for drug addictions will soon have access to free counseling supports, nicotine gum and patches to help them quit smoking. Over the next three years, the Ontario government will work with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to support approximately 23,000 smokers undergoing addictions treatment across Ontario.
Smokers in addiction treatment will have access to treatments helping them to quit through:
- Five-week treatment of over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies and counseling
- Follow-up counseling at key milestones to help people quit permanently
- Advice and assistance every time they see a counselor
- Free support through the Smokers’ Helpline
Training will also be available for addiction service providers to help them better support their clients as they quit smoking.
Of the people who enter an addiction treatment program, more of them die from tobacco-related disease than from all other causes combined.
To see the press release, go to www.health.gov.on.ca.