Help for Nova Scotians to Stop Smoking

Nova Scotians will breathe easier as government continues to support community-based and in-hospital smoking cessation programs across the province.

In this year's budget, the province invested an additional $400,000 to an existing $1.3 million commitment bringing the total to $1.7 million. This is part of the $2.4-million investment into the renewed provincial tobacco control strategy.

"There are many people whose health has been impacted by smoking and this investment will help them quit," said Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson. "Our province has had great success over the past number of years in decreasing the smoking rate and this investment will further that success."

Since 2001, Nova Scotia's smoking rates have dropped from 30 per cent to 18 per cent. Smoking rates for youth, once the highest in Canada, are now at an all-time low of 12 per cent.

As part of the 2011 renewed tobacco control strategy, smoking cessation was identified as one step in moving toward a tobacco-free Nova Scotia. The strategy will also:

• aim to reduce the smoking rate among 20-24 year olds to 20 per cent by 2015-16
• focus on the behaviour of the tobacco industry in Nova Scotia by looking at sales to minors, compliance rates and tobacco advertising
• aim to reduce the number of teens (15 to 19) smoking from 15 per cent to 10 per cent
• explore legislation to help smoking reduction efforts
• expand the range of effective, comprehensive treatment options for tobacco users by complementing community-based counselling programs