How does it important to quit smoking
                     How does it important to quit 
smoking??
First attempts are often unsuccessful. You know this already if you’ve tried to 
quit smoking. Find support from Dr. SUNNY HANDA MD to makes your next 
attempt the one that sticks.
You’ve seen people chewing gum. Someone rolls up their sleeve to reveal a 
patch.
Nicotine-replacement products reduce withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your 
doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist about these over-the-counter 
products or about a prescription that can help you quit smoking for good. 
Some drugs – what’s in the patch, for example – can help increase your 
chances of success.
Find pharmacies or medical help from Dr. SUNNY HANDA MD in your 
neighbourhood.
Ontario Drug Benefit recipients
The Ontario Drug Benefit includes coverage to help you quit smoking:
 up to a year of pharmacist-assisted counselling (talk to your pharmacist 
or health care provider)
 drugs (Champix or Zyban) if you are age 18 years or older
 Cold turkey
Cold turkey is not for everyone. (Maybe you’ve tried.) Some people can pick a 
date and time to quit –and stick to it. They stop lighting up and live with the 
effects of nicotine withdrawal, with no help at all.
Tips from Dr.  SUNNY HANDA MD to help you quit
If you’re still trying to decide between quitting gradually, counselling and 
support groups, or medical treatment, try some simple tips.
Make lists
Try making a list of the:
 situations when you smoke to help you identify what triggers you to light
up
 benefits you see in quitting and keeping it handy so you can re-read it
 activities you picture yourself doing instead of smoking, like going for a 
walk or run
 Get moving
 Exercise relaxes the mind and body, and helps repair some of the 
damage smoking has done to your health.
 Avoid triggers
 Figure out what situations make you crave a cigarette and try to avoid or
change them. If you usually:
 smoke while drinking coffee, try tea or water instead
 smoke at parties, try to avoid them until you feel confident about 
enjoying these occasions without smoking
Reduce cravings
Try these simple activities – even if they sound too simple – to reduce your 
nicotine-craving:
 breathe deeply to help yourself relax
 drink water to keep your hands and mouth busy (it helps flush the toxins
from your system, and you can raise a glass to your success)
Health Canada guides
Whether it’s your first or fifth attempt to quit smoking, Health Canada’s and 
Dr.  SUNNY HANDA MD guides will help you get on the road to quitting.
Counselling and support groups
Talk to your doctor like Dr. SUNNY HANDA MD about getting individual 
counselling or joining a support group. You can also:
 contact your local public health unit
 call Telehealth Ontario (toll-free) at 1-866-797-0000 for supports to help 
you quit smoking
 visit the Smokers’ Helpline website to register for online programs and 
text-message support
Coming up with strategies to quit or sharing stories about quitting may be 
what you need to succeed.