About Smokers' Helpline

Smokers' Helpline is a free, confidential service operated by the Canadian Cancer Society
offering support and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use.




Smokers' Helpline is evidence-based, non-judgmental and personalized. Bilingual services are offered by phone and online at 1 877 513-5333 and smokershelpline.ca. Text messaging and interpreter services are also available in Ontario.

Smokers' Helpline serves six provinces and one territory in Canada, including: PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon. For quitline services in other provinces, visit www.cancer.ca/quitlines. Funding varies by province/territory, so services may also vary.


Smokers' Helpline operates seven days a week. By phone, hours of operation are:

Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. EST
Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST

(Be sure to check your local time zone).


For Members of the Media

Fact sheets, press releases, FAQs, Multimedia and Images

Visit the Media Room

Frequently Asked Questions


What is a quitline?

Quitlines are a telephone-based tobacco cessation counselling service that offer a variety of services to help tobacco users quit. They are a proven intervention that greatly increase the chance that a smoker will quit. Every province, territory and state in North America has a quitline as part of a tobacco cessation strategy.

Smokers' Helpline also offers an online quit program and, in Ontario, text messaging service.

What is a Quit Coach?

At Smokers' Helpline, a Quit Coach is a Canadian Cancer Society staff member who is a tobacco cessation specialist.

A Quit Coach can help with:

  • Making a personalized quit plan
  • Dealing with cravings, withdrawal symptoms and stress
  • Finding community-based support services available in your area
  • Providing free self-help materials

Quit Coaches are easy to connect with and non-judgmental. They help people who:

  • Do not want to quit
  • Are thinking about quitting
  • Are ready to quit
  • Have already quit and want help staying smoke-free
  • Want to help someone else quit
  • Are healthcare providers interested in the service

Who operates Smokers' Helpline?

Smokers' Helpline is operated by the Canadian Cancer Society in six provinces and one territory: PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Yukon.

Smokers' Helpline funding varies by provinces/territory. To learn more about funding in other provinces, please contact your local media spokesperson.

Does Smokers' Helpline work?

Quitlines are cost effective services that provide a positive return on investment.

Our last annual evaluation found that 90% of clients took an action toward quitting.

94% of clients would recommend Smokers' Helpline to a friend in need of similar help.

How can I contact Smokers' Helpline?

For help and information on quitting smoking and tobacco use:
www.smokershelpline.ca
1 877 513-5333
Facebook.com/SmokersHelpline
Twitter.com/SmokersHelpline

For public and general inquiries, please visit “Contact Us”.

For media contacts and resources, please visit our Media Contacts section.