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Explore prevention programs

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Reduce your risk
  4. Explore prevention programs

SunSense

Childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) increases risk of skin cancer. SunSense provides free tools and resources to support the creation of sun safe environments that protect children from harmful UVR. Focused on settings where children spend more time, SunSense has information and resources for schools, daycares, and summer camps as well and information for parents. 
 
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Build Smoke-Free

Build Smoke-Free supports construction workers who are ready to quit smoking. Participants are given free resources and information and can join challenges to increase their chances of quitting successfully.

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Talk Tobacco

Talk Tobacco is a quit line for First Nation, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous people who are looking to reduce or quit using commercial tobacco or vaping products. It is a free, confidential telephone service offering culturally appropriate support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use to Indigenous communities.

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BETTER For All

The BETTER For All program is an integrated, personalized model of care with the goal of reducing the risk of cancer and chronic diseases in the GTA through access to Prevention Practitioners and Peer Health Coaches.
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Smokers’ Helpline / J’ARRÊTE

Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential service offering support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and tobacco use. Get access to information, tools and exercises to help you quit and stay quit and join our online support community to share your experiences. You can also receive support on the go with text messages customized to your quit date or live chat. Find out more about Smokers’ Helpline (PEI, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon) and J’ARRÊTE (Quebec).

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A father teaching his son how to throw a football

Connect to Change

A free program that provides support to Indigenous people who want to quit or reduce their commercial tobacco use in a culturally appropriate program.
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Past prevention programs

If you’re looking for support to quit smoking, visit Quitting is possible.
Four young adults laughing together and looking at a cellphone

Aspire à mieux

Aspire à mieux is a Quebec-based program supporting young adults (18 to 24) in quitting vaping, available exclusively in French. Participants choose their quit date and receive personalized text message support for up to 6 weeks, selecting moderate or regular frequency. The program offers a 2-week preparation phase, an app with an interactive logbook and practical tools. Aspire à mieux aims to reduce vaping through education and digital support. Since October 2024, nearly 700 youth enrolled, and campaigns reached millions, demonstrating strong engagement and impact on youth tobacco prevention efforts. Aspire à mieux is currently paused as we work with the Quebec government to identify a new partner to take over this program.
A group of women holding arms

BETTER Women

BETTER Women was a free program led by the Canadian Cancer Society, Women’s College Hospital, and Peter Gilgan Foundation, supporting women aged 40 to 68 in chronic disease prevention, including cancer. Offered at 3 Ontario sites, it provided personalized medical advice and up to 6 months of virtual support from trained peer health coaches. Participants set and worked toward health and screening goals with practitioners and coaches. Since April 2020, 85 peer coaches were trained, 268 women joined, and 143 used peer support. Testimonials highlighted increased accountability and the program’s cost-effective, preventative approach.
A woman sitting at her laptop computer

The Expand Project

The Expand Project fostered conversations about commercial tobacco and nicotine among 2S, Indigiqueer, queer and trans young adults (ages 18 to 29) in Canada, tailored to their diverse realities and health needs. Led by the University of Toronto, Canadian Cancer Society, Egale, and CAMH, with financial support from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Expand offered resources for quitting, community support and professional training. It highlighted the link between nicotine use, stress, and mental health, emphasizing community, connection and healthy coping strategies.

Nico-Bar

Nico-Bar was a program with in-person events and a digital campaign designed to raise awareness about the harms of smoking and vaping among young adults in Quebec (ages 18 to 24). The initiative utilized immersive educational tours, text-based challenges, and a virtual bar to illustrate the physical and social consequences of tobacco use. It engaged both smokers and non-smokers through contests that encouraged quitting or supporting friends to quit. During its run, Nico-Bar visited over 200 post-secondary schools in 16 regions, reached 18,500 students, attracted more than 38,700 participants in its challenges, and welcomed over 51,000 virtual bar visitors, demonstrating a significant impact on youth engagement and tobacco awareness.
A man sitting on a wooden chair looking at his phone.

Short Messages Against Tobacco (SMAT)

SMAT is a free SMS-based program supporting Quebec residents ages 18 to 34 in quitting smoking. It delivers information, tips and encouragement through a 24-week text message initiative. Since its inception, SMAT has aided nearly 34,000 people on their tobacco cessation journey. Participants receive motivating messages, reminders, and personalized support to help them stay focused and committed to quitting. Client testimonials highlight the effectiveness and motivational nature of the service. They have benefited from ongoing guidance to overcome challenges and achieve their smoke-free goals. The SMAT program is currently paused as we work with the Quebec government to identify a new partner to take over this program.

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