Smoking Cessation
Who We Are
The STOP program is delivered by a team of health care providers, with specialized training in smoking cessation, who interact closely with you and your physician. Patients who are enrolled in the STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Study will receive nicotine replacement therapy, including nicotine gum, lozenges, inhalers, and/or patches, free of charge and be supported throughout the quitting process.
Appointment Information
Appointments for the program are available to all patients with a Family Health Team Physician and can be booked by calling the STOP Line at 705-737-9539. You will be asked to leave some information about yourself on our answering machine, and a member of our team will follow up with you (usually within 1-2 business days) to book an appointment, provided you meet the criteria for the program.
Your physician or other health care provider, may also recommend that you attend the program. However, we will not book your appointment until you have contacted us yourself, by calling the STOP line (705-737-9539).
We are located at 370 Bayview Drive, 3rd floor. We do require advanced notice (minimum 24 hours) to cancel or change your appointment. Please call 705-721-0370 x2 to cancel or reschedule.
Patient Resources
While you wait for your appointment, here are some strategies to help you as you prepare for one of the most important lifestyle changes you can make to improve your overall health:
- Consider using the supports that have helped you through difficult times in the past: family, friends, meditation, spirituality, exercise or other hobbies you enjoy.
- Increase your physical activity level. Exercise is a healthy alternative to smoking as it can take your mind off your cravings, help your mood and energy level, and help keep off extra weight. Go outside for a walk instead of a smoke. If you are new to exercising, start slowly. A walk around the block is a good start.
- Cravings are short but intense urges to smoke. When a craving hits, it usually only lasts between 3 and 5 minutes. Make a list of ways to beat cravings using the 4 Ds Strategy: Delay (Your craving will pass soon), Distract (Do something different), Deep breaths (Relax and focus), Drink water (Keep your mouth and hands busy).
- Believe in yourself and your ability to stop smoking. Stay positive. Quitting smoking gets easier with practice. Every time you try to quit, you boost your chances of quitting for good. Most people who’ve quit smoking forever had to try 5 or 6 times before they could quit for good. This is normal.
- Try to figure out what the barriers are to your quitting. Consider avoiding people and situations where you will be tempted to smoke. If you usually smoke in a certain chair, don’t sit in that chair. If you usually smoke at a bar, avoid that bar for a while. Change your usual routine so your new routine doesn’t include smoking.
- Take it one day at a time. Remind yourself that once the withdrawal is over, you’ll feel better than you have in years. You deserve to feel better!
Smokers Helpline
http://www.smokershelpline.ca
Don’t Quit Quitting
http://www.dontquitquitting.ca
Tobacco-Free Life
https://tobaccofreelife.org/
Canadian Cancer Society
www.cancer.ca
Canadian Lung Association
www.lung.ca
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
http://www.smdhu.org
For more information or to register see below.
For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding:
Pregnets
http://pregnets.org
If you’ve tried quitting smoking before but couldn’t do it, try again. Each time you try, it gets easier. You will be one step closer to quitting for good!
