About 1 in 10 Canadians 15 years of age and older currently smoke cigarettes. Although we have made progress in cigarette tobacco cessation, there has been an increase in other tobacco-related products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches that are targeted at younger age groups. About 1 in 5 Canadians 15 years of age and older report having ever vaped, with very high prevalence in those under the age of 24 years. With the introduction of new nicotine/tobacco products, such as nicotine pouches, it is important for pharmacists to be aware of these products and strategies to help patients become tobacco-free. Many new strategies can help patients with an individualized approach to managing tobacco use that is highly flexible and effective. Through brief webinars, this series will provide pharmacists with practical tips and bite-sized easy–to–apply concepts that they can use in their practice immediately to help patients.

Canada’s Changing Smoke Signals: A Pharmacist’s Guide to How Your Patients Are Using Tobacco and Nicotine 

Pharmacists have focused for years on the reduction of cigarette use in their patients. New nicotine-related products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches have transformed nicotine use in Canada. Unfortunately, many of these alternative products are being used by younger people which could lead to long-term health consequences and hinder the progress that has been made to reduce tobacco use. This session will provide pharmacists with a quick review of the nicotine/tobacco landscape and introduce what they can do to help their patients.    

15 Minutes to Quit Start: Launching Effective Smoking Cessation 

The options for smoking cessation and reduction have changed dramatically over the last several years. This allows pharmacists to tailor options to address harm reduction, reducing tobacco use and helping patients become tobacco-free. In this webinar, we will introduce two patient cases and show how to individualize therapy based on their paths to smoking cessation and reduce-to-quit approaches.   

Breathe Easy: Fast-Track Fixes for Smoking Cessation Hurdles 

Smoking cessation is a journey and will normally require some adjustments in the plan to help patients reach their target of becoming tobacco/nicotine-free. This webinar will focus on how to adjust the treatment plan for the two patient cases introduced in the last webinar. It will showcase how small changes in the treatment plan can have a dramatic impact on helping patients reduce their tobacco use. 

No Going Back: Managing Relapse and Finishing Smoking Cessation Therapy 

Relapse and becoming nicotine-free is significant for many people along their smoking cessation journey.  In the final webinar in this series, we will revisit our two patients and review how to address and manage a patient who has relapsed and when to taper and stop smoking cessation products like nicotine-replacement therapy.