TORONTO - Butting out may get a little easier in Ontario as the province reportedly eyes covering the costs of smoking cessation prescription drugs.
Diane McArthur, who runs the Ontario Public Drugs Division, says a committee has just finished reviewing the anti-smoking drug Champix.
McArthur tells the Toronto Star the expert advisory committee to evaluate drugs gave Champix a positive review and it is now also studying Zyban.
Both Champix and Zyban are prescription therapies and they are meant to be used as part of a quit smoking plan that includes counselling and education.
Anti-cancer groups feel covering smoking cessation drugs is a positive move.
In late January, Ontario's chief medical officer of health said the governing Liberals need to put more money into programs that will help smokers quit.
Dr. Arlene King noted in her first annual report that Ontario "cannot win a war" it does not invest in.
The health ministry has said adding Champix and Zyban to the list of drugs covered by the province could cost upwards of $20 million a year.
