The B.C. government will be offering free nicotine gum, patches or prescription drugs to smokers starting this fall to help them kick the habit.
Premier Christy Clark says tobacco use is the biggest single cause of premature death and disease in B.C. and the nicotine replacement therapy program will give smokers a new level of direct support.
Starting Sept. 30, smokers can choose a 12-week supply of nicotine gum or patches, or they can get coverage for stop smoking prescription drugs through PharmaCare.
The program is estimated to cost between $15 million and $25 million, depending on the number of people who enrol.
The government says it will consult this summer with groups like the B.C. Medical Association and Canadian Cancer Society on the best way to implement the program.
The government says more than 6,000 British Columbians die from tobacco use each year and the direct health-care costs of smoking-related illnesses total more than $600 million a year.
