Stop smoking, tobacco cessation and nicotine addiction services are available throughout Nova Scotia for individuals who want to cut back or stop their tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, vape, chew, etc.) use. Most participants will attend group counselling sessions that bring participants together in a supportive environment. In these sessions, participants explore topics related to making changes to tobacco use, including:

• understanding and developing coping strategies to manage triggers;
• cravings and urges to use tobacco;
• making changes to patterns of behaviour;
• building supports and identifying self-care strategies;
• managing stress without tobacco use;
• developing and discussing strategies to prevent relapse.

During group sessions, participants are given opportunities to share concerns, successes, ask questions and support each other. The treatment will focus on the promotion of healthy changes with physical self and the way a person thinks about tobacco.

In addition, funding/support for nicotine replacement therapy and other quit smoking aids is available. The type and amount varies by program.