Smoking affects how your body heals. Cutting down or quitting smoking before surgery can help you heal faster and lower your chance of having problems during and after surgery.
The sooner you quit, the better your body will heal. By quitting or cutting back now, you can:
- Lower your risk of pnuemonia (lung infection)
- Reduce your chance of a heart attack
- Help your incision heal faster and reduce your risk of infection
How is Smoking Risk Identified?
If you smoke or use electronic cigarettes (vaping), it is important to know that smoking can increase the risk of problems during and after surgery.
Your health care team may talk with you about this at different times. You may hear it from your surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not meant to judge you. The goal is to make sure everyone who wants help can get the right support.
We want to clearly explain the risks so you can make informed decisions. Even small steps, like cutting back, can make a big difference in your recovery.
What Can You Do Before Surgery?
Quitting is not just about willpower. Nicotine is addictive and your body may need help to get through withdrawal. It can take time to achieve success. Talk to your pharmacist for recommendations on products and to build a plan to quit before surgery.
Successful quit plans often include:
- Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) like gum, patches, lozenges, or sprays
- Prescription medication (like varenicline or bupropion)
These treatments reduce cravings and other uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. They have been shown to double or even triple the chance of success. These can be prescribed by your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist - and they may be fully covered by Pharmacare.
BC PharmaCare's Smoking Cessation Program
Helps eligible BC residents stop using tobacco products by paying for:
- The full cost of nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches, or sprays
- Some or all of the cost of certain smoking cessation prescription drugs, with coverage depending on your PharmaCare plan
Other Benefits of Quitting Smoking
- Add 6-8 more years to your life
- Save up to $3,000 per year
- Lower your risk of cancer, lung diseases, and heart disease
- Protect your loved ones from secondhand smoke
Where to Learn More
Learn more about quitting smoking at Healthlink BC
Access telephone support for smoking cessation at *211
Quit Now is a free quit smoking program delivered by the BC Lung Association that offers free 1:1 coaching, peer support groups, and resources to help you cut back or quit completely.
First Nations Health Authority - Respecting Tobacco