We asked smokers in Canada about their quitting journey

Health. Cost. Setting a better example.

These are just some of the reasons people quit smoking. In 1965, nearly half of Canadians reported smoking cigarettes, with the number steadily declining until hitting 10% in 2021. While the decrease can largely be attributed to the negative health effects smoking tobacco has on the body, everyone has their own reasons for putting out that last cigarette.

Recently, we surveyed over 500 people* who quit after having smoked for anywhere from 1 to 70 years, to learn about what it was like for them, and how they could have benefited from a smoking cessation aid, like nicotine replacement therapies.

Going cold turkey

Andrea Piacquiadio/Pexels

One respondent quit after 29 years when a wake-up call came on a brutally cold winter day. “It was -30 [degrees outside] and I had run out of smokes,” they wrote. “I would’ve had to bundle up my three children to go buy more. That’s when I thought it was a horrible idea, and I quit cold turkey.”

Another respondent quit after five years once they realized how smoking was affecting their health. They tried the patch, but what ultimately ended up working was going cold turkey.

Cold turkey means the “abrupt and complete cessation” of taking a drug or substance that one is addicted to. This can refer to anything from caffeine, to prescribed medication, and smoking cigarettes.

Quitting cold turkey is possible but can come with unpleasant side effects. The first respondent reported horrible headaches, irritable mood, and the shakes; while the second respondent reported experiencing intermittent panic attacks for six months.

A new nicotine replacement therapy

Zonnic

For all those on their quitting journey, there lies a common experience: controlling nicotine cravings without reaching for a cigarette. That’s where a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) like ZONNIC nicotine pouches can come into play.

Launched in 2023, ZONNIC is a Natural Health Product and the first Health-Canada-licensed nicotine pouch authorized for sale as an NRT.

ZONNIC can help smokers quit by delivering nicotine to the body, temporarily relieving cravings and nicotine withdrawal symptoms, anytime, anywhere. Whether you want to quit immediately or are looking to gradually decrease your smoking habits, ZONNIC can help you get there.

While smoking cessation is the preferable option, ZONNIC can also be used in situations where smoking is not allowed, such as on airplanes or in other smoke-free areas. And remember, little wins are still wins. Every cigarette skipped is a good thing and should be celebrated!

Zonnic

Quitting smoking isn’t a linear journey, but it’s important to remember how rewarding the end goal will be. Tools such as an NRT, like ZONNIC nicotine pouches and other supports by your side, can be extremely helpful. Resisting cravings is tough, but as one respondent writes, you’re tougher.

“Be ready,” they wrote. “Be sick and tired of it. Use [something] to help you over the hump … Strong desire to quit is key.”

Remember that it’s okay to get some extra help. Just by being here on your quitting journey, you’ve shown incredible resilience and dedication.

To learn more about ZONNIC nicotine pouches and get information and support about quitting smoking, visit ZONNIC.ca. Or, you can take a page from this respondent’s handbook:

“I gave up [smoking] when the Leafs won the Stanley Cup, saying I could start again when they won it next. It’s been a very effective strategy.”

_{*The Peak surveyed 588 people between May 31 and June 7, 2024, to get a sense of smokers’ experiences before and after they quit smoking.}