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Medical journal calls on provinces to fund quit-smoking drugs 

The Canadian Medical Association Journal is calling on provincial governments to publicly fund medications designed to help Canadians quit smoking.

In an editorial published Monday, the authors propose that "as an immediate first step, all provincial drug formularies should begin reimbursing evidence-based smoking cessation therapies," so smokers over the age of 65 and those receiving social assistance would have free access. . . .

The B.C. government has already begun a review of smoking-cessation products, including nicotine-replacement therapies and prescription drugs, according to a written statement provided by the province's health ministry.

Quit-smoking rates are higher when counselling is provided along with smoking-cessation therapies, said a spokesperson from Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, which is in the process of developing a new five-year strategy to combat tobacco use in the province.

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