Quit Connection Program

What is Quit Connection?

Quit Connection is a fax referral program which provides linkages between minimal contact interventions being conducted by clinicians and more intensive counselling services available through the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline.

Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential telephone service staffed by trained Quit Specialists with a proven track record for helping people to quit using tobacco products. Using evidence-based protocols, Quit Specialists assess individual needs, listen to patient’s concerns and provide information on how to develop a quit plan, and cope with withdrawal symptoms, slips and relapses. One-to-one services are provided in both English and French, seven days a week as follows:

Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Patients can access Smokers’ Helpline through Quit Connection, or call toll free directly to 1-877-513-5333.

How does Quit Connection work?

Quit Connection brings patients and evidence-based services together through a fax referral system. Pharmacists, physicians and/or dentists need only identify a patient interested in quitting and offer further assistance. A brief fax referral form is completed (including patient’s signed consent) which is then faxed directly to Smokers’ Helpline by the health care provider. Smokers’ Helpline does the rest!

What types of services will my patients receive?

Your patients will receive counselling and follow-up support for tobacco use cessation from Smokers’ Helpline. When fax referrals are received by Smokers’ Helpline, the Quit Specialists will initiate a call to your patient based on the patient’s preferred availability. The Quit Specialists follow approved Smokers’ Helpline protocols which ensure provision of evidence-based tobacco use cessation counselling, information and materials according to their needs. Clinicians are encouraged to follow-up with patients on their next visit to assess the outcomes of their connection with Smokers’ Helpline.

For more information on the services provided by Smokers’ Helpline visit www.smokershelpline.ca or call 1-877-513-5333.

How can I become involved?

Pharmacists, physicians and dentists can register with the Quit Connection Program by clicking on their association's logo below, completing the registration form and faxing it to the number provided. Upon receipt of your registration, you will be sent a package of information materials including:

Full protocol for patient referral.
Smokers’ Helpline information to share with your patients.
Fax referral forms to begin referring patients right away.
Order form for additional supplies.

Why should I get involved with Quit Connection?

It is important to remember that 70% of people who smoke want to quit. Research indicates that success rates increase significantly when there is even brief clinical intervention, and increases further when combined with pharmaco-therapy and/or intensive behavioural counselling. In as little as three minutes you can help your patients by asking about tobacco use, assessing their readiness to quit and faxing a referral to the Smokers’ Helpline for assistance through the Quit Connection program.

To register, click on your association logo to download the Quit Connection registration form.