The Canadian Medical Association Journal has urged the Canadian government to pay for smoking treatments.

Some 5.5 million Canadians – 1 in 5 of the total population – smoke cigarettes. In an editorial article, the CMA is now urging provincial governments to fund smoking treatments. Only Quebec provides reimbursement for both prescription, and over-the-counter, smoking solutions. Such reimbursement is more widely offered in the UK, Australia, and to some degree the US.

The authors of the editorial argue that taxpayers would benefit if smoking treatments were paid for.

The article stated: "When considered with evidence that people who quit smoking long term gain an average of four years of life, full coverage of smoking-cessation products among the 5.5 million Canadian smokers might be expected to result in 1.9 million life-years gained, at a cost of $220 for every life-year gained.” The authors wrote that this would be “a bargain compared with most other health interventions."

Other experts writing in the Edmonton Journal said that: “Provincial governments already fund a wide variety of programs and prescriptions designed to help the afflicted rid their systems of alcohol and drug addiction.” They argued: “Surely smoking tobacco, acknowledged to be one of the toughest things to kick, should qualify, especially considering how little it costs.”

Smoking treatments such as Champix have been accredited with helping many people to stop smoking. Overcoming tobacco addiction is both a physical fight and a mental one. Physically, nicotine cravings can be a barrier. Psychologically, the habit of holding a cigarette, and the routine of going for a smoke, can get in the way. If you are interested in starting a smoking treatment, consult with a trained medical practitioner.