Participants assigned to the CF group received a starter kit (4-week supply) of cost-free quit smoking medication (nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, or varenicline) and a pre-printed prescription to be filled by the patient at the end of the 4-weeks.

Participants assigned to the prescription only usual care group received a prescription for smoking cessation pharmacotherapy to be filled at their own cost at their local community pharmacy.

Participants assigned to the CF group received a starter kit (4-week supply) of cost-free quit smoking medication (nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, or varenicline) and a pre-printed prescription to be filled by the patient at the end of the 4-weeks.

The dependent variables of primary interest were measured at 26 weeks and included: (1) bio-chemically confirmed 7-day point prevalence abstinence; and (2) continuous abstinence since TQD. Participants who were not available for follow-up were considered smokers. At the 26 week follow-up, all patients who reported being abstinent from smoking had their smoking status confirmed by measurement of a CO sample. If any CO was >10 ppm, the subject was considered a smoker.

At the 26 week follow-up assessments patient quit attempts in the previous six months of 24 hours or longer were documented.

During the 26-week telephone follow-up assessment patient adherence with pharmacotherapy was assessed by evaluating the number of doses of pharmacotherapy consumed within the prescribed study interval. The telephone counsellor recorded the completion of all seven counselling sessions in order to assess patient adherence.