Smokers' Helpline Quit Connection is a referral program that can be used on its own or as a positive adjunct to clinician intervention. The Quit Connection Program eliminates the need for patients or clients to call Smokers' Helpline. Instead, a Smokers' Helpline Quit Coach will contact the tobacco user to provide counselling. The healthcare provider simply needs to explain the program to their client, encourage them to register for the service by signing a consent form then the provider faxes in the signed form. Within 3 days the client will receive a phone call from a Quit Coach at Smokers’ Helpline. Evaluation of this program indicates that 60% of those contacted by Smokers’ Helpline would not have called, had they not been directly referred for proactive service.

How will Smokers’ Helpline follow up with my patients/clients?

Upon receipt of a faxed consent form, the referral is entered into the Smokers’ Helpline confidential database and a call is scheduled for a preferred time of day that the client has identified. Tobacco Cessation Specialists (Quit Coaches) provide information about the service, assess a client’s readiness to quit and offer services based on each individual client’s needs. Smokers’ Helpline takes measures to protect the privacy of clients, including physical security, code of conduct and security policy, data storage, integrity, transfer and access policies and a security audit.

How can I help my patients/clients?

To get started, use the information and resources on this site to learn more and to access the Quit Connection referral form (link to fax referral forms).

Any healthcare provider in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island can access Quit Connection in order to refer patients or clients to Smokers’ Helpline by fax. Healthcare providers are in a unique position to assist tobacco users as they encounter people at "teachable moments" when patients or clients may be more inspired than usual to change unhealthy behaviours. Minimal contact intervention can powerfully motivate clients to make a quit attempt.