Quit Smoking

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can Rexall help me quit smoking?

  We offer nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products (patches, pouches, mouth sprays, lozenges, gums, inhalers) to help you quit smoking. If you're looking for personal support, our pharmacists can create a quit smoking plan with you, including prescription therapy and/or NRT product recommendations.

• What are the withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking?

  Quitting is a significant milestone, and navigating withdrawal is often one of the most demanding phases. As your system adjusts to life without nicotine, it may react in several unusual ways, including dizziness, headaches, increased hunger, constipation, increased perspiration, coughing, cold symptoms, changes in sleep patterns, and nervousness.

  Source: rexall.ca

• What are the benefits of quitting smoking?

  When you quit smoking, you're quitting nicotine and the effects it has on your body. Quitting causes both immediate and long-term physical and mental changes. Withdrawal symptoms peak within the first three days. After that, you should see and feel significant health improvements in your breathing, heart rate, and mental clarity within weeks.

  Source: canada.ca

• What happens when you quit smoking and start vaping?

  While switching from smoking to vaping can immediately reduce exposure to harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, it's important to understand that vaping carries its own health risks. If you've already tried Health Canada approved methods to quit (nicotine replacement therapies) and are still smoking cigarettes, vaping could help you quit smoking. Our pharmacists can help you consider your options and use quit aids most effectively.

  Source: canada.ca

• How long does it take to quit smoking?

  The process of quitting smoking is often a process rather than a single event, and most people make multiple attempts before they're successful. But it's encouraging to know that 8 million Canadians aged 15 or older have reported quitting smoking.

  • Physical withdrawal symptoms: typically peak within 1 to 3 days and subside within 2 to 4 weeks.
  • Multiple attempts: Smokers average between six and 30 attempts before successfully quitting for good.
  • "First month" milestone: Withdrawal symptoms are the worst in the first week, but many people find that those intense physical cravings subside after 2 to 4 weeks.
  • Success predictor: If you make it 28 days smoke-free, you're about 5 times more likely to stay quit for good.
  • Long-term success: The first year of abstinence carries the highest risk of relapse, meaning you should measure your long-term success over at least 12 months.

  Source: canada.ca