Quitting
“Let’s take the sweet grass, there’s three strands. Each of them represents mind, body, and spirit. When they smoke that cigarette, because of all those toxics, they all go separate. We get lost.”
Elder Gordon Gladue
“Let’s take the sweet grass, there’s three strands. Each of them represents mind, body, and spirit. When they smoke that cigarette, because of all those toxics, they all go separate. We get lost.”
Sacred Tobacco plays an important and positive role in many Indigenous cultures. But commercial tobacco and vaping products harm our people and communities.
Commercial tobacco products (like cigarettes and chew tobacco) contribute to disease, disability, death. Vaping products (e-cigarettes) expose the body to chemicals and can lead to addiction.
Quitting smoking and vaping is part of restoring a healthy relationship with tobacco.
Quitting commercial tobacco or vaping products can be hard, but it’s worth it. Quitting improves your health and can add years to your life. Quitting protects your family and people you care about.
Quitting makes you a leader and role model for your community.
The air around you is safer for your family
Your heart rate goes down
There is more oxygen in your bloodstream
Things smell and taste better
You breathe easier
Your risk of heart attack is cut in half
Your risk of getting cancer drops
Your risk of heart attack is the same as someone who never smoked
Quitting commercial tobacco or vaping usually takes more than one try. Don’t give up! You’re not alone.
The following tools, strategies, and programs can help you on your path to quitting. Using more than one method will boost your chances of staying quit.
Be honest about using commercial tobacco or vaping products. When you smoke or vape, you’re putting your health and your family’s health at risk.
Using commercial tobacco does not reflect the sacred role of tobacco in many Indigenous communities. Giving prayer and thanks is honoring tobacco.
If you use commercial tobacco or vaping products, you’re putting your needs ahead of your family. You may be exposing people you care about to second- and third-hand smoke or aerosol. Your family and friends want you to live a long and healthy life.
If you’re ready to quit using commercial tobacco, think about our strengths to make a change. You don’t have to quit alone—reach out to others for help and support.
Sharing the truth about using traditional tobacco and commercial tobacco with others can make a big difference in your community.
Quitting commercial tobacco and vaping products is good for your health. Love yourself by making that change.
Quitting can be hard, but you can do it.
When you’re quitting, the first step is deciding to go for it. The next step is planning for success.
Building a quit plan helps you:
For tips and tools to build a quit plan, go to AlbertaQuits.ca (Get Ready: Build Your Quit Plan).
When you’re quitting, it helps to have someone to talk to.
The AlbertaQuits Helpline is a free, confidential counselling service to help adults (18+) quit smoking or vaping. It’s open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and has translation services for 23 Indigenous languages.
When you call the AlbertaQuits Helpline, you’ll get connected with a trained quit counsellor. They’ll listen without judging you. They’ll give you information and tips to quit or cut down. They’ll coach you in a way that works for you.
To reach the AlbertaQuits Helpline, call 1-866-710-7848 (toll-free in Alberta). You can also fill out an online self-referral form and a quit counsellor will follow-up with you.
When you’re quitting, it helps to connect with other people who are going through the same thing.
QuitCore is a free group support program to help adults (18+) quit smoking or vaping. It’s offered online and in-person in communities across Alberta.
When you join QuitCore, you’ll take part in six 90-minute sessions. You’ll learn, share, and celebrate with other adults who are trying to quit. You’ll take part in activities led by a trained facilitator.
To find a QuitCore group, call 1-866-710-7848 (toll-free in Alberta) and ask about sessions coming up.
When you’re quitting, words of motivation can make a difference.
The AlbertaQuits text message service is a free 3-month program that sends handy tips and hopeful messages to help you on your quit journey.
When you subscribe, you’ll be asked to set a quit date. You’ll get up to 3 daily texts to help you stack on track. You’ll also be able to live-chat with a quit coach and get on-demand support using keywords (like CRAVE or STRESS).
To subscribe to the AlbertaQuits text message service, text ABQUITS to 123456.
When you’re quitting, quit aids can make it easier to cope with cravings and manage withdrawal. They can make you feel more comfortable and boost your chances of staying quit.
Quit aids include:
Many quit aids are covered by health benefit programs. To learn more, go to Preparing to Quit: Quit Medications or talk with a pharmacist, doctor, or other healthcare provider.
The IT's TIME Toolkit provides Indigenous tools and strategies in a First Nations-specific toolkit for quitting commercial Tobacco including information on Interventions, Medicines, Cessation and Education.
Quitting or reducing commercial tobacco use is an important change in ones life. You can quit or reduce your commercial tobacco use. For many people, the decision to quit or reduce commercial tobacco use is a difficult one. Most people don't take advantage of resources that can help them to quit. The toolkit will help you on your journey.
