Quit smoking or vaping for people in trades

close up of yellow hard hat on construction site

Working in the trades takes skill, hard work, and dedication. Many people in construction, mechanics, and other trades in Canada also smoke or use tobacco products — often to handle long hours, stress, or the culture on the job site.

If you have ever thought about quitting smoking or using other tobacco products, you are not alone. We have the tools to support you.

Why is smoking more common when you work in trades?

Whether to blow off steam or catch up with coworkers, smoke breaks can quickly become part of your routine.

Worksite culture: If most of your colleagues smoke, smoke breaks become a time to connect.

Outdoor work environment: When you work outside, stepping away for a smoke break is easier.

Physically-demanding work: A smoke break offers a quick pause on a tough day.

Stress: Constantly changing job sites and fast-paced work can make smoking feel like stress relief.

How smoking affects you on the job

Cigarette smoking and other tobacco use take a toll on your health. Smoking increases your risk of cancer, heart disease, vision and hearing problems, and even broken bones. Over time, it can make it harder to keep up with the demands of your work. Read more about the health risks of smoking here.

Trade jobs themselves can also be risky. Construction, mining, plumbing, and other trades involve daily safety hazards. Smoking adds to these risks.

Smoking and other tobacco use can increase your risk of getting injured on the job.⁴
Working in the trades may expose you to higher levels of harmful toxins such as asbestos, radon, silica, wood dust, and diesel engine exhaust. If you smoke and work with these substances, you have a higher chance of getting lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than your colleagues who do not smoke.

The good news? Your body starts to repair itself just 20 minutes after your last cigarette. Ready to feel better on and off the job? Let’s talk about quitting.

Quit Smoking: For Your Health, Your Wallet, and Your Future

Protect your long-term health→ Breathe easier, feel stronger, and cut your risk of serious diseases. Read about the benefits of quitting here.

Be a role model → For kids, colleagues, or apprentices who look up to you.

Protect the people around you → Keep your family, friends, and coworkers safe from secondhand smoke.

Save money→ Quitting smoking can save you $10,000 a year! What else could you do with that extra cash?

Stay strong for work → Protect your body so you can keep doing the job you love.

How much have you spent on cigarettes since you started smoking? Use our calculator to see how much you could save by quitting.

In the trades, smoking can feel like part of the job. Quitting isn’t easy — but neither is the work you do every day. You have the strength, focus, and problem-solving skills to succeed. Think of it like a big project: take it step by step, with the right tools and the right team.

Every job needs the right tools. Stock your toolbox with practical options like nicotine replacement therapy, a plan for smoke-free breaks, and backup support for tough days.

Choose your tools

Make your personalized Quit Plan– we’ll help you build your blueprint, whether your goal is to quit, cut back, or explore your options.
Explore methods to quit, like talking to a Quit Coach on the phone or Live Chat, signing up for Text or Email Tips, or using quit aids like the nicotine patch, gum, or lozenge or prescription quit medications.
Keep gum, mints, water, or healthy snacks in your car or at work. Use them to distract yourself when cravings hit.
Write down your reasons for quitting — whether it’s for your health, your family, or your work — and keep the list close. On tough days, your list can be your reminder to stay quit.

Plan for roadblocks

Smoke breaks: Challenge a coworker to cut back or quit with you. Take a walk, grab a coffee, or find another way to make the most ofyour break.
Stress: Have a go-to move — breathing exercise, stretch, or quick text to a friend — so you don’t have to reach for a smoke. Read our tips for managing stress here.

Identify your safety net

It takes a team to build a house, and quitting smoking is no different. For encouragement, lean on colleagues, family, friends, Quit Coaches, or our Community Forum.

Let’s Get to Work

Quitting is tough, but so are you. It may take a few tries to go smoke-free, but you have the tools, the team, and the determination to see this through. We will set you up with the right tools, but you are the one who makes them work.

Ready to get started?

Build your Quit Plan here!