Smoke Free Connect

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St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, NL
Smoke Free Connect

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💛A community to support your journey to quitting smoking
|Funded by Health Canada|
⚠️Views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of Health Canada

11/04/2026

What a wonderful time connecting with community in Hay River, Northwest Territories! 🐟✨

In partnership with the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre, we brought community members together over a shared fish fry meal to connect, share stories, and learn about supports for quitting commercial to***co.

Ring's Pharmacy Ltd. shared available resources and practical strategies for quitting smoking, offering community members the opportunity to explore different ways to take the next step on their quit journey with a Certified To***co Educator.

One of our favourite moments? Creating our Community Tree! Together, participants shared what makes a strong community, highlighting the importance of reconnecting with cultural roots, helping one another, and leading with compassion. We also invited participants to take home a beading activity to continue creating and connecting beyond the event.

Events like these remind us that quitting smoking doesn’t have to be a journey taken alone. When communities come together to share stories, learn from each other, and build meaningful connections, we remind each other that support is always within reach.

A huge thank you to the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre team, Tim and Josée-Anne from Ring's Pharmacy Ltd. , and everyone who joined us. Together, we’re building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities where no one has to quit alone! 💙

09/25/2026

A day filled with learning and great conversation at the SickKids Grand Rounds & Ni****ne Lunch and Learn Event this week!

Our Principal Investigator, Dr. Michael Chaiton, joined Dr. Trisha Tulloch and Dr. Benoît Gomis for an important discussion on the rise of novel ni****ne products and what they mean for children’s health.

Ni****ne and to***co continue to be an issue for young people. From e-ci******es to ni****ne pouches, ni****ne products are changing quickly, becoming more accessible and more appealing to youth. Understanding these trends and their impact on youth is more important than ever.

Thank you to the SickKids Child Health Policy Accelerator for bringing together researchers, clinicians, and policy experts for such an important conversation! 💙

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08/28/2026

Do YOU know what’s in your cigarette?

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including harmful substances such as lead (used in batteries!) and acetone (found in nail polish remover!).

But here’s something even more important to know: If you quit, you can reduce your exposure to these chemicals and secure a healthier future for yourself and those around you.

Ready to work towards a smoke-free future? Check out the SmokeFreeConnect online hub for free smoking cessation resources, tools, and support from other people on their quit journey!

🔗Link in bio!

Sources:
Food and Drug Administration — Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHCs)
Centers for Disease Control — Health Effects of Ci******es: Cancer
American Cancer Society — Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time

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08/14/2026

Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be something you do alone. 💙

Having people who encourage you, understand your experiences, and celebrate your progress can help you stay motivated in your quit journey.

We saw the power of community firsthand at our recent gathering in Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba. 🌿🎨

Around a shared meal, an art workshop, and a walk through nature, we came together to connect, share, listen, and build a strong, supportive community.

Looking for YOUR community? Join the SmokeFreeConnect Virtual Support hub to get supported and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.

🔗 Link in bio!

Source: Soulakova et al., “Motivational Benefits of Social Support and Behavioural Interventions for Smoking Cessation.”

07/31/2026

What an incredible day at our very first community gathering in Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba! 💚🌿

From sharing stories and making new friends, to seashell painting with Jacquelyn Landry, connecting over a delicious lunch, learning about healing properties of plants during a guided nature walk with Erica 🌙 Mossy Birch Homestead—the day was filled with connection, learning, and community. And of course, lots of time playing with goats! 🐐

Want to join us at a future event? Come connect with others on their quit journey, learn about smoking cessation supports, and find out if you’re eligible to receive a 6-week supply of ni****ne replacement therapy (NRT) to help you quit.

➡️ email [email protected]

💙 Because quitting is easier when we do it together.

07/22/2026

Looking for connection, creativity, and community?

Join us for a FREE community gathering at the OSAAT Farm! Meet new people, enjoy hands-on art workshops, connect with nature, and learn about local quit smoking resources in a welcoming, relaxed setting.

✨ GET CREATIVE
🎨 Paint seashells with Jacqueline Landry from Healing Shells and make walking sticks with Tamara Cherepak Thomson to take home a handmade reminder of your connection with nature.

🌱 LEARN FROM THE LAND
Join Erica from Mossy Birch Homestead for a guided nature walk and beginner-friendly plant identification workshop. Erica is a Métis woman, medicine woman, and knowledge healer who is passionate about helping people slow down, connect with the land, and learn about the plants growing around us.

💚 EXPLORE QUIT SMOKING SUPPORTS
Learn about SmokeFreeConnect, a Canada-wide research study offering eligible adults a 6-week supply of ni****ne replacement therapy (patches and/or gum/lozenges), along with compensation for completing surveys.

🍽️ Meal and refreshments provided!

📅 Saturday, July 25
⏰ 12 PM – 4 PM
📍 OSAAT Farm
74147 Brookfield Rd, Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba

🌟 RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! Scan the QR code or email [email protected]

07/21/2026

Quitting smoking doesn’t work the same for every brain—and here’s why.

Research has linked ADHD with higher rates of to***co use, which may be related to differences in attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and the brain’s reward system.

Ni****ne temporarily increases dopamine, a brain chemical involved in motivation, focus, and reward. For some people with ADHD, smoking may feel like it helps with stress, boredom, restlessness, or concentration. When ni****ne becomes connected to routines or coping strategies, quitting can feel more challenging.

Some strategies that may help:
✨ Replace the experience, not just the habit
✨ Use reminders and visual cues instead of relying only on memory
✨ Celebrate progress with small, immediate rewards
✨ Talk with your healthcare provider about ni****ne replacement therapy (NRT)

Your quit journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. The goal is to find strategies that work WITH your brain, not against it. 💙

Looking for support along the way? Join the SmokeFreeConnect Virtual Support Hub to connect with others, learn new strategies, and get encouragement from a community that understands.
🔗 Link in bio!

References:
Kollins, S. H., McClernon, F. J., & Fuemmeler, B. F. (2005). Association between smoking and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in a population-based sample of young adults. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(10), 1142–1147.

McCabe, S. E., Pasman, E., Wilens, T., Boyd, C. J., Veliz, P., McCabe, V., Chen, B., Dickinson, K., & Evans-Polce, R. J. (2025). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Later E-Cigarette and To***co Use in US Youths. JAMA network open, 8(2), e2458834. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.58834

van Amsterdam, J., van der Velde, B., Schulte, M., & van den Brink, W. (2018). Causal factors for increased alcohol and to***co use in adult ADHD patients: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 448.

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07/16/2026

If your coworkers still take smoke breaks together, it’s normal to wonder where you fit in.

The good news? You don’t have to choose between being smoke-free and staying social.

Try keeping something in your hands, like gum or water. Have a simple response ready if someone offers you a cigarette: “No thanks, I quit.” If the craving feels strong, step away for a few minutes and come back when it passes.

And remember, it’s okay if your breaks look different now. Building new routines is part of building a smoke-free life.

Every smoke-free break is another step forward.

Another great way to stay social? Join the SmokeFreeConnect virtual support hub! Connect with others who are quitting smoking, stay motivated, and access evidence-based resources to support your quit journey.
🔗 Link in bio

Source: Bowen & Marlatt (2009). Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

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07/13/2026

Digestive changes are a common ni****ne withdrawal symptom, but they are only temporary! Once your body adjusts, the constipation, gas, and discomfort will subside. In the meantime, you can increase your fibre intake and drink more water to manage the symptoms.

Looking for support while you embark on your quit journey? Check out the SmokeFreeConnect online hub to access free resources, tools, and support for folks looking to quit smoking!

The link is in our bio!

Sources:
Canadian Lung Association — Manage Your Withdrawal Symptoms
West & Varma — Constipation after quitting smoking: Common withdrawal symptoms and more

07/03/2026

Many people still believe that filtered ci******es are less harmful—but research shows this isn’t true.

⭐️For decades, misleading terms like “light” and “mild,” along with ventilated filters, were used in marketing to create the impression of a safer cigarette.

⭐️In reality, cigarette filters do not reduce the health risks of smoking. These products used ventilated filters with tiny holes designed to dilute smoke when tested by machines, producing lower tar and ni****ne readings on paper. However, in real-world use, those holes were often covered by lips and fingers, and many people unconsciously compensated by taking deeper or more frequent puffs when smoking.

⭐️As a result, filtered ci******es do NOT reduce exposure to harmful chemicals or lower the health risks of smoking.

💙 The best way to reduce the harms of smoking isn’t choosing a different cigarette— it’s quitting. Wherever you’re at in your quit journey, we’re here for it.

🔗Link in bio for support!

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Address

St. John's, Newfoundland And Labrador, NL
A1A–A1H

Website

http://www.smokefreeconnect.ca/, https://forms.gle/p5q84SrNnQ4wz4UV9

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