About
FAQ
One of Talk Tobacco’s services is a telephone-based tobacco cessation counselling service, also known as a ‘quitline’ that supports people who smoke, or use vape products to quit or reduce their commercial tobacco use.
Call Talk Tobacco at 1 833 998-8255 (TALK) and a Quit Coach who has knowledge of Indigenous cultures will support you with creating a personalized quit plan, sharing ways to cope with cravings and withdrawals, and finding available resources in your area.
Talk Tobacco is free and confidential, open seven days a week, and provides interpretation in many Indigenous languages.
A Quit Coach is a Canadian Cancer Society staff member who is a non-judgmental tobacco cessation specialist and is experienced in providing counselling and support to First Nation, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous callers. A Quit Coach can support with:
- Making a personalized quit plan that works for you
- Dealing with cravings, withdrawal symptoms and stress
- Finding community-based support services available in your area
- Using quit aids like medication or nicotine gum
- Follow-up with you to offer encouragement and support
Talk Tobacco is operated by the Canadian Cancer Society in partnership with Ontario Health’s (Cancer Care Ontario) Indigenous Cancer Care Unit.
The Talk Tobacco program has been made possible through collaboration and financial support from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Corporation and Health Canada.
Nicotine dependence occurs when you need nicotine and can't stop using it. Nicotine is the chemical in commercial tobacco that makes it hard to quit. Nicotine produces pleasing effects in your brain.
Nicotine is in cigarettes and most vape products, and it's very addictive. The more you smoke, the more nicotine you need to feel good. When you try to stop, you experience unpleasant mental and physical changes. These are symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Talk Tobacco can support you to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
If you are concerned about your cannabis use, please talk to a health care provider.
Find more information on reducing health risks when consuming cannabis in "10 Ways to Reduce Risks to Your Health When Using Cannabis: Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines"
If you smoke, you may be at a higher risk for more serious outcomes of COVID-19. Smoking tobacco can result in respiratory issues that weaken your lungs and are considered an underlying medical condition. It can also weaken your immune system, making it harder for you to fight infections.
If you vape or use e-cigarettes, you may also be at a higher risk for more serious outcomes of COVID-19.
In light of guidelines on handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, and physical distancing, now is not the best time to share cigarettes or vape pens — even with who live with you. COVID-19 can easily spread through indirect oral contact.
Contact us to find out more by
- Phone: 1 833 998-TALK (8255)
- Live Chat: see live chat pop-up box on this page
- Email: talktobacco@cancer.ca
We respectfully acknowledge the contributions and commitment of the iA Financial Group for their support of Talk Tobacco.