Smoke Free Connect

Smoke Free Connect 💛A community to support your journey to quitting smoking
|Funded by Health Canada|
⚠️Views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of Health Canada

Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be something you do alone. 💙Having people who encourage you, understand your experience...
08/14/2026

Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be something you do alone. 💙

Having people who encourage you, understand your experiences, and celebrate your progress can help you stay motivated in your quit journey.

We saw the power of community firsthand at our recent gathering in Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba. 🌿🎨

Around a shared meal, an art workshop, and a walk through nature, we came together to connect, share, listen, and build a strong, supportive community.

Looking for YOUR community? Join the SmokeFreeConnect Virtual Support hub to get supported and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.

🔗 Link in bio!

Source: Soulakova et al., “Motivational Benefits of Social Support and Behavioural Interventions for Smoking Cessation.”

07/31/2026

What an incredible day at our very first community gathering in Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba! 💚🌿

From sharing stories and making new friends, to seashell painting with Jacquelyn Landry, connecting over a delicious lunch, learning about healing properties of plants during a guided nature walk with Erica 🌙 Mossy Birch Homestead—the day was filled with connection, learning, and community. And of course, lots of time playing with goats! 🐐

Want to join us at a future event? Come connect with others on their quit journey, learn about smoking cessation supports, and find out if you’re eligible to receive a 6-week supply of ni****ne replacement therapy (NRT) to help you quit.

➡️ email [email protected]

💙 Because quitting is easier when we do it together.

Looking for connection, creativity, and community?Join us for a FREE community gathering at the OSAAT Farm! Meet new peo...
07/22/2026

Looking for connection, creativity, and community?

Join us for a FREE community gathering at the OSAAT Farm! Meet new people, enjoy hands-on art workshops, connect with nature, and learn about local quit smoking resources in a welcoming, relaxed setting.

✨ GET CREATIVE
🎨 Paint seashells with Jacqueline Landry from Healing Shells and make walking sticks with Tamara Cherepak Thomson to take home a handmade reminder of your connection with nature.

🌱 LEARN FROM THE LAND
Join Erica from Mossy Birch Homestead for a guided nature walk and beginner-friendly plant identification workshop. Erica is a MĂŠtis woman, medicine woman, and knowledge healer who is passionate about helping people slow down, connect with the land, and learn about the plants growing around us.

💚 EXPLORE QUIT SMOKING SUPPORTS
Learn about SmokeFreeConnect, a Canada-wide research study offering eligible adults a 6-week supply of ni****ne replacement therapy (patches and/or gum/lozenges), along with compensation for completing surveys.

🍽️ Meal and refreshments provided!

📅 Saturday, July 25
⏰ 12 PM – 4 PM
📍 OSAAT Farm
74147 Brookfield Rd, Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba

🌟 RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! Scan the QR code or email [email protected]

Quitting smoking doesn’t work the same for every brain—and here’s why.Research has linked ADHD with higher rates of to**...
07/21/2026

Quitting smoking doesn’t work the same for every brain—and here’s why.

Research has linked ADHD with higher rates of to***co use, which may be related to differences in attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and the brain’s reward system.

Ni****ne temporarily increases dopamine, a brain chemical involved in motivation, focus, and reward. For some people with ADHD, smoking may feel like it helps with stress, boredom, restlessness, or concentration. When ni****ne becomes connected to routines or coping strategies, quitting can feel more challenging.

Some strategies that may help:
✨ Replace the experience, not just the habit
✨ Use reminders and visual cues instead of relying only on memory
✨ Celebrate progress with small, immediate rewards
✨ Talk with your healthcare provider about ni****ne replacement therapy (NRT)

Your quit journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. The goal is to find strategies that work WITH your brain, not against it. 💙

Looking for support along the way? Join the SmokeFreeConnect Virtual Support Hub to connect with others, learn new strategies, and get encouragement from a community that understands.
🔗 Link in bio!

References:
Kollins, S. H., McClernon, F. J., & Fuemmeler, B. F. (2005). Association between smoking and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in a population-based sample of young adults. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(10), 1142–1147.

McCabe, S. E., Pasman, E., Wilens, T., Boyd, C. J., Veliz, P., McCabe, V., Chen, B., Dickinson, K., & Evans-Polce, R. J. (2025). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Later E-Cigarette and To***co Use in US Youths. JAMA network open, 8(2), e2458834. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.58834

van Amsterdam, J., van der Velde, B., Schulte, M., & van den Brink, W. (2018). Causal factors for increased alcohol and to***co use in adult ADHD patients: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 448.

***co

If your coworkers still take smoke breaks together, it’s normal to wonder where you fit in.The good news? You don’t have...
07/16/2026

If your coworkers still take smoke breaks together, it’s normal to wonder where you fit in.

The good news? You don’t have to choose between being smoke-free and staying social.

Try keeping something in your hands, like gum or water. Have a simple response ready if someone offers you a cigarette: “No thanks, I quit.” If the craving feels strong, step away for a few minutes and come back when it passes.

And remember, it’s okay if your breaks look different now. Building new routines is part of building a smoke-free life.

Every smoke-free break is another step forward.

Another great way to stay social? Join the SmokeFreeConnect virtual support hub! Connect with others who are quitting smoking, stay motivated, and access evidence-based resources to support your quit journey.
🔗 Link in bio

Source: Bowen & Marlatt (2009). Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

***co

Digestive changes are a common ni****ne withdrawal symptom, but they are only temporary! Once your body adjusts, the con...
07/13/2026

Digestive changes are a common ni****ne withdrawal symptom, but they are only temporary! Once your body adjusts, the constipation, gas, and discomfort will subside. In the meantime, you can increase your fibre intake and drink more water to manage the symptoms.

Looking for support while you embark on your quit journey? Check out the SmokeFreeConnect online hub to access free resources, tools, and support for folks looking to quit smoking!

The link is in our bio!

Sources:
Canadian Lung Association — Manage Your Withdrawal Symptoms
West & Varma —  Constipation after quitting smoking: Common withdrawal symptoms and more

Many people still believe that filtered ci******es are less harmful—but research shows this isn’t true.⭐️For decades, mi...
07/03/2026

Many people still believe that filtered ci******es are less harmful—but research shows this isn’t true.

⭐️For decades, misleading terms like “light” and “mild,” along with ventilated filters, were used in marketing to create the impression of a safer cigarette.

⭐️In reality, cigarette filters do not reduce the health risks of smoking. These products used ventilated filters with tiny holes designed to dilute smoke when tested by machines, producing lower tar and ni****ne readings on paper. However, in real-world use, those holes were often covered by lips and fingers, and many people unconsciously compensated by taking deeper or more frequent puffs when smoking.

⭐️As a result, filtered ci******es do NOT reduce exposure to harmful chemicals or lower the health risks of smoking.

💙 The best way to reduce the harms of smoking isn’t choosing a different cigarette— it’s quitting. Wherever you’re at in your quit journey, we’re here for it.

🔗Link in bio for support!

***co

Here’s something many people don’t know: smoke doesn’t just disappear after a cigarette is put out. Thirdhand smoke is t...
07/02/2026

Here’s something many people don’t know: smoke doesn’t just disappear after a cigarette is put out.

Thirdhand smoke is the residue left behind even after a cigarette is extinguished. Ni****ne that settles on surfaces like couches, curtains, and car seats can react with indoor air and form new harmful compounds over time.

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found this process can happen quickly and continue to build on surfaces over time, instead of wearing off. It gets into fabrics, dashboards, and even your skin.

The good news? Every smoke-free day helps reduce new contamination and moves your home and environment in a healthier direction.

💛 Wherever you are in your quit journey, we’re here to support you.

🔗 Link in bio!

Source: Sleiman et al., 2010, PNAS. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0912820107

***coFree

One of the most prevalent kinds of cancer is colorectal cancer, which has what’s called a dose-dependent relationship wi...
06/30/2026

One of the most prevalent kinds of cancer is colorectal cancer, which has what’s called a dose-dependent relationship with smoking This means that the more ci******es you smoke, the more likely you are to get colorectal cancer. Luckily, quitting smoking reduces this risk!

Ready to quit smoking and lower your colorectal cancer risk? Check out the SmokeFreeConnect online hub for free smoking cessation support, resources, and tools!
The link is in our bio!

Source:
Botten et al. - Smoking and Colorectal Cancer Risk, Overall and by Molecular Subtypes: A Meta-Analysis

2SLGBTQIA+ individuals face systemic inequities that lead to disproportionately high rates of to***co and ni****ne use. ...
06/26/2026

2SLGBTQIA+ individuals face systemic inequities that lead to disproportionately high rates of to***co and ni****ne use. Tailored resources have been created to combat this disparity. Swipe to learn about inclusive cessation supports!

Sources:

Azagba & Shan — Disparities in the frequency of to***co products use by sexual identity status

Centers for Disease Control — LGBTQ+ People Encounter Barriers to Quitting Successfully

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