Tobacco and vaping products are addictive and harmful, and many people want to quit. Workplaces can play an important role by offering information and support that make quitting easier. Access to counselling and medications can double or triple someone’s chance of success. Supporting employees to quit improves health, reduces stress, and lowers absenteeism.
By offering these supports, workplaces show they care about employee health and well-being, which builds trust and strengthens workplace culture.
Note: In this document “Tobacco” refers to commercial tobacco products, like cigarettes sold in stores. It does not include the traditional tobacco used by First Nations and some Métis groups for ceremonial purposes and as a sacred medicine.
What’s involved?
Build on what’s already in place
- Review your benefits plan: Check whether your plan covers over-the-counter and prescription quit medications, as well as behavioral counseling for tobacco and nicotine vaping dependence, at low or no cost. If these supports are not covered, work with your benefits provider to add them or improve coverage.
- Use your Employee Assistance Program (EAP): If your workplace offers an EAP, ask what counseling supports are available for tobacco and nicotine dependence. If supports are not included, explore opportunities to add them or share no cost provincial quit supports with employees. .
Promote counselling and quit supports
In addition to EAP counselling services, promote provincial no cost Albertaquits.ca supports. These supports help employees build confidence, skills and a plan for quitting:
- Helpline Support: Confidential, non-judgmental counseling daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., with translation services available. Call 1-866-710-7848.
- Group Support: Six 90-minute “QuitCore” sessions, led by trained facilitators, offered virtually or in person. Call the Helpline or visit online for upcoming groups. Contact TVCP@ahs.ca to set up at your workplace.
- Text Support: A 3-month program offering tips, motivation, and live chat. Text ABQUITS to 123456 to register.
Support access to quit medications:
Encourage employees to talk to their primary care provider and pharmacist about prescription non-nicotine quit medications or over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies. Primary care providers and pharmacists can also help employees manage nicotine withdrawal and choose the medication, or combination of medications that best meet their needs.
Share reliable online information:
Help employes find trustworthy information such as Albertaquits.ca for quitting support and MyHealth.Alberta.ca for general information on tobacco and vaping.
Share community supports:
Local healthcare providers may offer one-to-one counselling. Employees can contact their local pharmacy or primary care provider for information and to learn more about what’s available in their community.
Spread the word
- Make supports easy to find and promote them often: Share information about quit supports in places employees naturally look, such as orientation materials, intranet, posters in break rooms and common areas, newsletters or all staff emails and bulletin boards.
- Use clear, supportive messaging: Share information using warm, non-judgmental language that invites employees to explore their options. Consider simple phrases like “Whenever you’re ready to quit, support is here.”
- Reassure employees about confidentiality: Let employees know that accessing quit supports, whether through the EAP, benefits or provincial programming is private so staff feel safe seeking help when they are ready.
- Share reminders: Use gentle periodic reminders to keep supports top of mind.
Track progress
Consider the example questions and indicators below to help track how well your quit supports are working and how you can make them better.
- % of employees aware of supports available
- % of employees who know how to access supports
- % of new hires introduced to supports during onboarding
- % of employees who can correctly identify at least one support option
- % of employees who report the steps to access supports are clear and simple
- Supports are available through workplace benefits, EAP, or provincial services are promoted (yes/no)
- Reported barriers to access (e.g., cost, time, lack of clarity, confidentiality concerns)
- Number of employees who use counselling, helplines, group programs, or quit medications
- Trends in usage over time (e.g., before/after communication efforts)
For more ideas, use the HTW Action and Evaluation Planning Facilitator’s Guide.
Tips for Small Businesses
- Start small: Share one or two key resources to help employees know where to start.
- Promote no cost provincial supports: AlbertaQuits support services offer counseling, group programs and text-based support.
- Ask for feedback: Check in with employees who use quit supports to see what’s helpful and what might still be needed.
Resources for Workplaces
Amplify your impact
Support programs are even more effective when paired with a Smoke and Vape-Free Policy. Together, these actions reduce exposure and give employees the tools to quit. For greater impact, link your efforts to other areas of workplace health, such as mental health, alcohol reduction, and healthy eating.
