Research shows promising results for smokers to "go weedless"

Interim Results Show Success Of NRT Combined With Counselling

TORONTO — Smokers may have up to four times the typical quit rates if they have effective access to counselling and nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), a new interim report indicates.

The STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Study through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is designed to find out the most effective methods of supporting Ontario smokers who want to quit.

In its first two years, the study has reached more than 38,000 smokers – more than 20 per cent of the 175,000 Ontario smokers eligible to participate. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is conducting the study with funding from the Ontario government.

Minister of Health Promotion Margarett Best announced today that Ontario will provide an additional $2 million to add 15,000 more smokers to the study.

“The STOP Study’s early results show that people can break the habit when they have the proper support,” said Best. “We are determined to help smokers quit and the STOP Study is just one of the many initiatives we have supported to help Ontarians quit smoking – and live healthier, longer and better lives.”

For information on how to participate in the STOP Study, visit www.ontario.ca/smokefree or call 1-800-350-5305.

“This is the first time such a study has been implemented in Canada on such a large scale,” said Dr. Peter Selby, CAMH’s Clinical Director of Addiction Programs and Principal Investigator of the STOP Study. “The STOP Study is most likely unique in the world due to the innovative methods of distributing free NRT linked to supportive counseling that are being investigated. It is clear there’s both a demand and a need for nicotine replacement therapy, and with the Ontario government’s help, we’re committed to finding the most effective ways to help smokers quit.”

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Media Contacts:

Michael Torres,
Media Relations Coordinator,
CAMH, at (416) 595-6015

Research shows promising results for smokers to "go weedless"

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