Smokers' Helpline is a free, confidential service operated by the Canadian Cancer Society offering support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and tobacco use.
Smokers' Helpline is evidence-based, non-judgmental and personalized. Bilingual services are offered by phone and online at 1 877 513-5333 and smokershelpline.ca (Phone service in Ontario is provided by Health Connect Ontario at 1-866-797-0000). Text messaging support is also available in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Interpreter services in over 100 languages are also available by phone.
Smokers' Helpline serves four provinces and one territory in Canada, including: PEI, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon. For quitline services in other provinces, visit www.cancer.ca/quitlines. Funding varies by province/territory, so services may also vary.
Smokers' Helpline operates seven days a week. By phone, hours of operation in each province/territory are:
Yukon
Monday - Thursday 5:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Friday 5:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday 6:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Saskatchewan
Monday - Thursday 6:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Friday 6:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday 7:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Manitoba
Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Friday 7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Health Connect Ontario
Monday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Care Coach Assistants available 24/7 at 1-866-797-0000 Prince Edward Island
Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
- For help and information on quitting smoking, vaping and tobacco use:
- www.smokershelpline.ca
- 1 877 513-5333
- facebook.com/SmokersHelpline
- twitter.com/SmokersHelpline
- Contact us
For public and general inquiries or for media contacts and resources, please contact us
What is a quitline?
Quitlines are a telephone-based tobacco cessation counselling service that offer a variety of services to help tobacco users quit. Every province, territory and state in North America has a quitline as part of a tobacco cessation strategy.
Smokers' Helpline also offers an online quit program and, in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, text messaging support. Phone service in Ontario is provided by Health Connect Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
How does SHL phone service work?
Call SHL at 1 877 513-5333 (in SK, MB, PE, & YK) and a Quit Coach will help with creating a personalized quit plan, coping with cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and finding available supports and resources in your area. All callers are offered self-help materials and scheduled follow-up calls from a Quit Coach to check in and give consistent support along the way.
Phone service in Ontario is provided by Health Connect Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
What is a Quit Coach?
At Smokers' Helpline, a Quit Coach is a Canadian Cancer Society staff member who is a tobacco cessation specialist. A Quit Coach can help with:
- Making a personalized quit plan
- Dealing with cravings, withdrawal symptoms and stress
- Finding community-based support services available in your area
- Providing free self-help materials
Quit Coaches are easy to connect with and non-judgmental. They help people who:
- Do not want to quit
- Are thinking about quitting
- Are ready to quit
- Have already quit and want help staying smoke-free and vape-free
- Want to help someone else quit
- Are healthcare providers interested in the service
How does SmokersHelpline.ca work?
For support and information whether you are thinking of quitting, starting to prepare, or ready to quit today. Register for 24/7 access to a step by step quit plan, online support forums and a personalized quit calculator that shows you the benefits of quitting. SmokersHelpline.ca combines proven tools, the support of online Quit Coaches, and anonymous forums with access to phone and text support in one convenient place.
How does Smokers Helpline Text Support work?
Smokers’ Helpline Text Messaging (ON, SK, Manitoba only), is a free service that sends up to 13 weeks of evidence-based text messages to your mobile phone to provide support and motivation while you are quitting, or preparing to quit smoking and/or vaping. You can also text one-on-one with a Quit Coach during SHL business hours, or text keywords for specific craving support 24/7. Register now by texting iQuit to 123456 or sign up on SmokersHelpline.ca.
Click here to learn more about what you can expect when you join the Smokers' Helpline text program.
Who operates Smokers’ Helpline?
Smokers' Helpline is operated by the Canadian Cancer Society in four provinces and one territory: PEI, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Yukon.
Smokers' Helpline funding varies by provinces/territory so some SHL services may not be available in your area. To learn more about funding in other provinces, locate your regional quitline at www.cancer.ca/quitlines.
Does Smokers’ Helpline work?
Yes! Quitline support alone can double your chances of staying quit for good. Coupled with other supports, like nicotine-replacements or other medication, the chances of long-term success are even greater. Our last annual evaluation found that 90% of our clients took an action toward quitting. 94% of clients would recommend Smokers' Helpline to a friend in need of similar support.