One of the world's top medical journals says most provinces, including P.E.I., should be doing more to help people quit smoking.

'Every second patient I see has a problem with smoking and lung disease, and they're on machines to breathe.'— Dr. Paul Hebert, CMAJ editor-in-chief

In an editorial, the Canadian Medical Association Journal noted there are drugs proven to help people quit smoking, and called on all provinces to pay for them. Quebec is the only jurisdiction covering those costs. P.E.I. and the Yukon cover some of the costs for some people.

On P.E.I., the government will pay for a three-month supply of Zyban for those with low incomes, or $75 per year for anyone to try smoking cessation medication if they also take counselling.

P.E.I. resident Nicola Reynolds does not qualify for the low-income program. She's tried to quit four times, but so far it hasn't worked. She wants to try medication to help but can't afford it even with the assistance offered by the province.

"A $120-prescription all at once, not everyone has that kind of money laying around, when you live pay cheque to pay cheque," Reynolds told CBC News Tuesday.

CMAJ editor-in-chief Dr. Paul Hebert works in intensive care in Ottawa, and sees the effects of smoking on patients every day.

"Every second patient I see has a problem with smoking and lung disease, and they're on machines to breathe," said Hebert.

Hebert said Champix and Zyban have proven to be highly effective in helping people quit. They cost about $60 a month, but Hebert said they are well worth it.

"Some may just view it as too costly, others may say well you know what, it's a lifestyle choice," he said.

"We think that basically smoking is an addiction, and we should treat it that way, and pull out all stops … These drugs are effective. They will eventually save the system hundreds of thousands of lives, So from our perspective this is a no-brainer."

P.E.I. is currently reviewing its entire drug strategy and health officials say access to smoking cessation drugs will be part of that review.