The Newfoundland and Labrador Smokers’ Helpline (NL Smokers’ Helpline), operated by NL Lung and funded by the provincial and federal governments, is the province’s dedicated quitline service. Among Canadian provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the highest smoking rates, making sustained cessation and prevention efforts critical. Since 1999, the NL Smokers’ Helpline has been a core pillar of the province’s tobacco control strategy, providing accessible, evidence-based support to thousands of people seeking to quit smoking or vaping. Its smaller provincial scale (population of 550,000) enables services tailored to Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique cultural, geographic, and healthcare context, and supports strong relationships with clients and community partners. The Helpline is deeply integrated into provincial cessation programs, policies, and initiatives, including the Provincial Smoking Cessation Program, EMR-embedded referral pathways, and specialized efforts such as “Helping Women Live Smoke-Free.” Strong collaboration with healthcare and community stakeholders underpins the Helpline’s impact, with referrals from physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other providers serving as the primary entry point for many clients. People connect with the Helpline through provider referrals, the Helpline website and social media, community outreach, the pan-Canadian quitline number printed on cigarette package health warnings, and other public awareness efforts. Ongoing engagement with healthcare partners—through updates, email networks, training and webinars, and evidence-based resources—helps maintain consistent referral patterns and keeps cessation supports visible in routine care. As a smaller, provincially-focused service, the Helpline can pilot and refine new programs quickly, in close collaboration with funders and stakeholders. Staff continuously assess how to make services easier to navigate, encourage repeat contacts beyond the first call or visit, and align new features with client needs and expectations. The Helpline also offers a comprehensive suite of innovative online supports informed by evidence, best practices, and lived experience. These include: - the KickAsh web app – an online tool to assist young adults with quitting smoking or vaping which includes fun features such as a personalized dashboard, helpful quit tips shared by other users, motivating “badges”, and savings calculator;
- Mindful E-Quit – an online program with mindfulness-based content;
- 4-week Online Quit-Smoking or Quit-Vaping Group Program;
- Vaping Cessation website (for adults);
- “Exit the Vaping Experience” Youth Vaping Cessation site;
- Text Message Program which offers personalized, interactive counseling via texting with a Quit Coach.
To learn more about services in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.smokershelp.netor call 1-800-363-5864. | 
Email to a Friend
