Last updated: October 2, 2024

There are many health risks associated with all tobacco use. Learn about these risks and the steps you can take to quit smoking in this section.

Health risks from smoking

Smoking increases the risk of death from heart disease and various cancers, such as lung cancer. To learn more about the effects of smoking on your health, read below:

• Lung Cancer
• Smoking and Coronary Artery Disease

Smoking while pregnant can harm your baby. If you are pregnant and want to learn about quitting smoking, consult your health care provider. For more information, read Quitting Smoking and Avoiding Smoke During Pregnancy.

Second-hand smoke

Second-hand smoke is poisonous and has over 7000 chemicals, including 70 that cause cancer. For more information, read HealthLinkBC File #30a The harmful effects of second-hand tobacco smoke and vapour.

Vaping

Current evidence shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking commercial tobacco products. However, this does not mean that vaping is safe. It can still cause harm to your health, as well as those around you. To learn more about these risks and steps to quitting vaping, read HealthLinkBC File #30d Quit or reduce vaping.

Quit smoking

There are many reasons why you may want to quit smoking, such as health concerns, second-hand smoke harm, cost or financial concerns. Whatever your reason, it is always a good time to quit.

For tips on how to quit and how to deal with temptations and cravings, read below:

• HealthLinkBC File #30c Quitting smoking
• Quitting Smoking: Getting Support
• Quitting Smoking: Preventing Slips or Relapses
• Quitting Smoking: Temptations and Cravings

If you are replacing cigarettes with other tobacco and nicotine products, you should know about the associated health risks. For more information, read HealthLinkBC File #30b Risks of alternative tobacco and nicotine products.

Smoking cessation aids

Smoking cessation aids include Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products and prescription medications. NRT products are over-the-counter medications that ease withdrawal symptoms by replacing the nicotine produced by smoking. Prescription smoking cessation medications help you quit smoking by managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings and reducing your urge to smoke. They do not contain nicotine. For more information, see:

• Comparing Nicotine Replacement Methods
• Comparing Stop-Smoking Medicines
• Nicotine Gum
• Nicotine Inhaler
• Nicotine Patches
• Quitting Smoking: Should I Use Medicine?

To learn about the B.C. Smoking Cessation Program and how you can get NRT products or prescription smoking cessation drugs, visit the B.C. Smoking Cessation Program.

Lifestyle checkup tools

Learn about health and interactive tools to help you measure your willingness to quit, assess the health effects of smoking and more.

• Interactive Tool: Are You Ready to Quit Smoking?
• Interactive Tool: How Does Smoking Affect Your Lifespan?
• Smoking: Heart Attack and Stroke Risks
• Interactive Tool: How Much Is Smoking Costing You?

Useful websites

• The B.C. Smoking Cessation Program helps people quit smoking or using other tobacco products by helping them pay for smoking cessation aids. This program is open to B.C. residents who wish to quit smoking or using other tobacco products
• QuitNow is a free program for people in British Columbia. They offer a free service to help you quit smoking and remain smoke-free. You can interact with other quitters, track your status and savings and connect with quit coaches
• Talk Tobacco offers culturally appropriate support and information about quitting smoking and vaping for Indigenous community members. Services are free and confidential, and designed with input and guidance from First Nation, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous leaders, partners, community members and health care providers

For more information, visit Substance use supports and resources.