Quitting smoking or vaping is one of the best things you can do for your health, and support is available every step of the way. Whether you’re thinking about quitting, preparing to quit, or trying again after a setback, there are resources available.

New Brunswickers can access quit-smoking and quit-vaping support through healthcare providers, pharmacists, smoking cessation programs, and provincial health services. Many people find success by combining counselling, support programs, and nicotine replacement therapy with a personalized quit plan.

Helpful Resources

• Tobacco-Free NB (Government of New Brunswick): A New Brunswick resource that helps individuals find local quit-smoking and quit-vaping supports, cessation programs, educational materials, and tools to help them live tobacco-free. The site connects users with provincial services and community-based resources available across New Brunswick.
• NB Health Link (811): Connect with healthcare professionals who can provide information, advice, and referrals to smoking and vaping cessation services.
• Smoking Cessation Services (Horizon Health Network and Vitalité Health Network):
  Smoking cessation services are available in many communities across New Brunswick, including counselling and support from trained healthcare professionals.
• Health Canada Quit Smoking & Vaping Resources: Evidence-based information, self-help tools, and practical tips to support your quit journey.
• Smokers’ Helpline and Online Quit Supports: Telephone, text, and online services that offer encouragement, goal setting, and personalized quitting strategies.
• Pharmacists and Healthcare Providers: Many pharmacists, physicians, and nurse practitioners can help you create a quit plan and discuss medications or nicotine replacement therapies.

Youth Smoking & Vaping Prevention

Young people are often exposed to misinformation about vaping and may not be aware of the associated risks.

To help them make informed decisions, Health Canada offers Consider the Consequences of Vaping, a free interactive learning module designed for youth aged 13-18. The program uses engaging activities, videos, and real-world scenarios to explore the harms of vaping, the effects of nicotine and cannabis on developing brains, the financial cost of vaping, and strategies for managing peer pressure.

Click here to access the learning module.

Additional Resources

• I quit for me (Health Canada): A youth-focused guide designed to help teens quit smoking or vaping. It provides practical tips, motivation, and strategies for managing cravings and building healthy habits.
• Preventing kids and teens from smoking and vaping (Health Canada): A resource that explains the risks of smoking and vaping among youth and offers information for parents, caregivers, and educators on prevention and early intervention.
• Prevention and cessation quitting resources for youth (Government of Canada): A collection of tools, information, and support services designed to help young people avoid tobacco and vaping products or successfully quit if they have already started using them.
• Drop the illusion! | Why is it addictive?: An educational resource that helps youth understand how nicotine affects the brain, why vaping can quickly become addictive, and how nicotine dependence develops over time.
• Substance Use Resources for Parents, Teens & Allies (Health Canada): A resource hub offering conversation guides, educational materials, and practical tools to help families and trusted adults support youth in making informed decisions about vaping, tobacco, cannabis, and other substances.
• Students Together Moving to Prevent Substance Use (PHE Canada): A school-based program that empowers students to become leaders in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing substance use within their schools and communities.
• How to Prevent and Reduce Substance Use Harms for Youth: What Youth Say Works (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction): A youth-informed resource that shares strategies, recommendations, and real-life perspectives on preventing substance use and reducing related harms among young people.

Smoking, Vaping & Pregnancy

Despite concerted efforts by researchers and health care professionals, maternal smoking during pregnancy remains a serious public health problem. Approximately 20% to 30% of pregnant women use tobacco during pregnancy.

Quitting smoking or vaping during pregnancy can have considerable positive health impacts for both you and your baby.

Resources

• Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy (Public Health Agency of Canada): Highlights important facts and questions related to a healthy pregnancy.
• Smoking and Your Body (Health Canada): Learn the pre- and post-natal risks associated with smoking and vaping during pregnancy.

Commercial Tobacco vs Traditional/Sacred Tobacco

Commercial tobacco use continues to have a disproportionate impact on many Indigenous communities. At the same time, it is important to recognize the difference between commercial tobacco products and the traditional or sacred use of tobacco practiced by many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

Resources

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​Traditional and commercial tobacco: Understanding the difference (First Nations Health Authority): This resource explains the important distinction between traditional tobacco and commercial tobacco products.
• Don’t misuse tobacco, keep it sacred (Assembly of First Nations): This educational resource helps youth and community members understand the sacred role of traditional tobacco in many First Nations cultures.

Smoke-free environments help protect people from exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour while creating healthier places to live, work, learn, and play. They support people who are trying to quit smoking or vaping, reduce the visibility of tobacco and vaping products, and help prevent youth from starting. Across New Brunswick, smoke-free spaces contribute to healthier communities and improve the well-being of residents and visitors alike.

Why Smoke-Free Environments Matter

• Protect children, families, and workers from second-hand smoke and vapour.
• Support individuals who are trying to quit smoking or vaping.
• Encourage healthier lifestyles and community wellness.
• Help reduce the normalization of tobacco and nicotine use among youth.
• Create cleaner, more enjoyable public spaces for everyone.

Creating Smoke-Free Environments in New Brunswick

Whether at home, work, school, or in the community, everyone can play a role in supporting smoke-free living. Consider:

• Making your home and vehicle smoke-free.
• Establishing smoke-free policies for workplaces, events, sports facilities, and community spaces.
• Posting clear smoke-free signage where appropriate.
• Providing education about the benefits of smoke-free living.
• Connecting people who smoke or vape with cessation supports and resources.

Resources

• Make Your Home and Car Smoke-Free (Government of Canada): This resource provides practical tips for creating smoke-free spaces at home and in personal vehicles.
• Smoke Free Places Act (Government of New Brunswick): The purpose of the Smoke Free Places Actis to protect New Brunswickers from exposure to second-hand smoke and to de-normalize tobacco and e-cigarette use.

Tobacco & Vaping Product Sales in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has laws in place to help protect young people from nicotine addiction and reduce the harms associated with tobacco and vaping products.

Key rules include:

• Tobacco and vaping products can only be sold to people 19 years of age and older.
• Tobacco and vaping products must be kept out of sight in retail stores.
• Flavoured tobacco products, including menthol, are not permitted for sale.
• Flavoured vaping products and additives, other than tobacco flavour, are not permitted for sale.
• Tobacco and vapour shops face restrictions on advertising and promotion.
• Retailers that sell vaping products must be licensed.

These measures help reduce youth access to tobacco and vaping products while supporting healthier communities across New Brunswick.

For full details, consult New Brunswick’s Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Sales Act and its regulation.

Smoke-Free Places in New Brunswick

New Brunswick’s smoke-free laws help create healthier environments for everyone by reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour. Smoking and vaping are prohibited in indoor public places and workplaces, on school grounds, in vehicles carrying children under 16, and in many outdoor public spaces.

Smoke-free areas include restaurant and bar patios, entrances to public buildings, playgrounds, sports fields, walking trails, healthcare properties, and most areas of provincial parks. The same rules generally apply to both smoking and vaping.

These protections help create cleaner public spaces, support people who are trying to quit, and contribute to healthier communities across New Brunswick.

Individuals who repeatedly violate smoke-free rules may be subject to fines. For concerns or to report ongoing violations, contact the Smoke-Free Places Information Line at 1-866-234-4234.

For complete details, consult New Brunswick’s Smoke-Free Places Act and its regulation.

Cannabis in New Brunswick

The New Brunswick Cannabis Control Act helps promote the safe and responsible use of cannabis while protecting public health and safety. Under the Act, recreational cannabis cannot be consumed in public places or in vehicles, and driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal.

These rules are designed to help keep public spaces safe, reduce exposure to smoke and vapour, and ensure cannabis is used responsibly. Like other smoke-free measures in the province, they support healthier communities for everyone.

For complete details, consult New Brunswick’s Cannabis Control Act.

New Brunswickers are making a difference in tobacco-free and smoke-free living in many ways. Over the years, individuals have shared inspiring quit-smoking journeys after decades of tobacco use, proving that it is never too late to improve your health. Programs such as Smoking Cessation Clinics, Run to Quit, and community-based cessation supports have helped countless residents overcome nicotine addiction and achieve lasting success.

Schools and youth groups have also played a leading role. Students and educators at schools including Central New Brunswick Academy, Fundy High School, Ridgeview Middle School, Bonar Law Memorial High School, Harcourt School, and Caledonia Regional High School have developed creative peer-led initiatives that encourage healthy, tobacco-free lifestyles and help prevent youth smoking and vaping.

Across the province, organizations and institutions have created healthier environments through smoke-free policies and wellness programs. Examples include CCNB Edmundston becoming New Brunswick’s first smoke-free college campus, hospitals and health networks implementing smoke-free properties, Irving Oil’s award-winning tobacco-free workplace program, and community organizations such as Harvest House Atlantic supporting clients on their quit-smoking journey.

These stories highlight the commitment of individuals, schools, healthcare providers, workplaces, community organizations, and local leaders who are helping build healthier communities across New Brunswick. Their efforts demonstrate that positive change is possible through education, support, collaboration, and a shared commitment to tobacco-free and smoke-free living.