Environmental Impact of Smoking; Free Quit-Smoking Program Now Open to All

In a city of Vancouver and a country—where we talk often about healthcare costs, public safety, and quality of life, one of the most preventable threats to our collective well-being still lingers in our homes, streets, and parks: tobacco use. Smoking remains one of the leading causes of chronic illness, preventable deaths, and environmental harm in Canada. Every cigarette smoked affects not only the person holding it, but also the air we share.That’s why the launch of a free, nationwide quit-smoking program is more than a health announcement—it’s a civic moment worth our attention.

The six-month initiative, called Conquit, is a partnership between Sun Life, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Lumino Health, Sun Life’s online pharmacy. It offers one-on-one coaching, personalized quit plans, and free prescription medication to anyone in Canada who uses tobacco, traditional or electronic. Sherry invited Keyvan Nasirnia from Sunlife to discuss in more detail how this program works.

“This is the first time we’ve had a program of this scale in Canada—24 weeks of tailored support that’s completely free,” said Keyvan Nasirnia, advisor from SunLife "I spoke with for this piece. “You don’t have to be a Sun Life client. If you live in Canada and use tobacco, you can join.”

Here’s how it works: participants register online and, within seven business days, are contacted by a trained coach who designs a plan based on their health, smoking habits, and readiness to quit. Nasirnia explained that the program is designed to remove the barriers that have stopped many people in the past.

“Only four out of 50 smokers manage to quit each year on their own,” he noted. “Conquit is expected to raise that success rate by 28 percent. That’s a big deal for public health and for families.”

But he also had a word of caution: “Because it’s government-funded, we don’t know how long it will run. My advice? Apply today—don’t leave it for tomorrow.”

The program’s impact goes beyond the smoker themselves. “Secondhand smoke affects families, friends, and neighbours,” Nasirnia said. “When one person quits, it protects the health of everyone around them.”

While the program is currently available in English and French, support in other languages may be possible upon request. Registration details are available through Lumino Health’s website.

As someone who reports on civic issues in our community, I see this as more than a personal health choice—it’s a step toward creating healthier public spaces, cleaner air, and stronger communities. A smoke-free life doesn’t just extend years to someone’s life; it adds life to our shared years as neighbours.

Sherry Concluded; quitting smoking is not easy, but programs like this remind us that change is possible when community, policy, and personal commitment meet. And in the civic landscape, few goals are more important than building environments—physical and social—that give every resident the best chance at living well.