Manitoba To Offer Nicotine Patches, Gum to Help Smokers Butt Out

Manitoba smokers will get government help in their effort to quit.

The province is doing so by providing free nicotine replacement therapy products to eligible smokers.

Healthy Living and Seniors Minister Deanne Crothers says up to 6,000 eligible Manitobans will be able to join the nicotine replacement therapy program (NRT), and receive up to eight weeks of NRT each year. Several products, including patches, gum and lozenges, will be available free of charge.

“It’s never easy to stop smoking but we are investing in this program to provide more options to help,” said Crothers. “We believe in preventing Manitobans from starting to smoke, and helping smokers quit.

The Manitoba Lung Association will manage the program in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance.

Agencies/Canadajournal