Quit Smoking With the Help of Your Manitoba Pharmacist

Kristin Tibett, a pharmacist at Harris Pharmacy in Neepawa, recently explained the details of the Manitoba Government’s Quit Smoking Program, officially named "Quit Smoking with Your Manitoba Pharmacist." Launched in April 2022, this initiative marks the province’s first health-related social impact bond aimed at supporting individuals in becoming non-smokers.

To participate in the program, interested individuals are encouraged to visit a local pharmacy that is enrolled in the initiative. Tibett noted that at Harris Pharmacy, they currently have five people enrolled in the program, though they’ve seen upwards of twenty participants over the past year.

“When a patient first expresses interest in the program, we schedule an appointment with them for an initial assessment, which typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes,” Tibett explained. “During this session, we evaluate whether they’re ready to quit smoking—whether they’re at a point in their life where they feel, ‘Yes, I can do this.’ We review their medical history, assess their smoking habits, and determine how much counselling and support they might need. For example, we ask questions like, ‘How soon do you have your first cigarette in the morning?’ and ‘Which cigarette would you hate to give up the most?’ This helps us tailor the level of support we provide. If we believe they’re ready to quit, we then discuss any concerns they may have and decide on the appropriate therapy or medication, if needed.”

Tibett also shared that there is no registration fee to join the program. Participants who agree to the initial and follow-up assessments receive $100 worth of prescribed medications or products, such as nicotine gum, lozenges, patches, or medications like Champix, or a combination of these options.

When asked about the program’s duration, Tibett mentioned, “The Manitoba Government set a cap for the program when it was created in April 2022. We have until March 2025 to enroll patients, or until we reach 4,500 participants. I’m not sure of the current number of enrollments across the province, but we still have another 9 to 10 months to sign up more patients. The government has set a success rate target of 30%, meaning they aim for 30% of all participants to quit smoking.”