YELLOWKNIFE (March 27, 2026) – The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) is launching the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC) at Stanton Territorial Hospital (STH), to help people who smoke get care while in hospital and after they leave. This program will be offered as part of routine, voluntary care at STH starting March 27, 2026.

The OMSC is a proven approach that combines identification, advice, medication supports like nicotine replacement therapies, as well as follow‑up as part of routine care. Together, this approach supports people to quit smoking successfully.  

How this helps you quit:

• Ask, Advise, Access: All admitted patients are asked about smoking and offered respectful, brief counselling—support that has been shown to increase quit attempts and help people quit, long-term.
• Medication supports: Patients can access nicotine replacement therapies like patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers and more during their stay, with prescriptions or recommendations for medications, when appropriate.
• Follow‑up after discharge: The OMSC includes continued support after leaving the hospital, which improves quit rates and reduces future visits.

The OMSC has been offered at primary care in Yellowknife since January 2025. People in Yellowknife, Ndılǫ, and Dettah can book free, private appointments with a registered nurse for one‑on‑one support, prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapies and medications, and follow‑up as needed. To book, call (867) 767‑9400 ext. 41602.

Want to quit but don’t live in Yellowknife, Ndılǫ, or Dettah?

Call 811 for support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For media requests, please contact:

NTHSSA Communications 
nthssacomms@gov.nt.ca