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Older Adults

Older Adult  Smokers

If you’re an older person, you may have been using tobacco for a long time, maybe even decades.

This can make it tough to quit. Studies show that when you decide to quit at an older age, your chances of success can still be quite high.

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for yourself at any age.

Quitting now can:

  • Improve your overall health
  • Increase how long you live
  • Improve how your lungs work
  • Reduce cognitive impairment and help prevent dementia

The quit smoking strategies that work for younger people can work for you as well. These include:

  • Make a plan
  • Get ready for your quit day
  • Ask family and friends for support
  • Use quit smoking aids.

Some seniors quit smoking “cold turkey” and can benefit for the support of a counsellor. Many more have followed a plan they develop with the help of their family doctor or through services like Tobacco Free Nova Scotia.

The Tobacco Free Nova Scotia program offers free, confidential and non-judgemental support about how you can quit smoking. A caring counsellor can work with you, at your pace, to help you develop and follow your plan. Learn more.

When you’re ready, we’re ready.

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Source: CAMH Smoking Fact Sheet for Older Adults