Quitline Doubles Free Nicotine Patches, Gum

Expansion to help Washington County residents affected by economy
Smokers in Washington County affected by the economic downturn now have a valuable tool for quitting. With the typical pack-a-day Iowa smoker now spending nearly $1,900 per year on cigarettes, Quitline Iowa (1-800-QUIT-NOW) is doubling the amount of nicotine patches and gum available to callers during the month of January.
In Iowa, cigarettes cost $5.18 per pack on average, or about $36 per week for a pack-a-day smoker. Iowans can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to receive a free four-week supply of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. Quitline Iowa also has specially trained quit coaches who help make individualized quit plans and offer ongoing support through follow-up calls. After January 31, Quitline will resume offering callers the two-week supply available throughout the year.
“Using nicotine replacement therapy such as the patch, gum or lozenge has been shown to significantly increase the success rate for quitting smoking,” said Sarah Yoder, Tobacco Control Coordinator for Washington County. “If callers take advantage of the telephone counseling services Quitline Iowa offers as well, this will only increase the likelihood that they will quit and stay quit.”
According to the most recent data from Iowa Department of Public Health, about 12.7 percent of Iowans living in rural counties such as Washington County currently smoke. Among them, 85 percent say they wish to quit, mainly for health reasons. Nearly 20 percent, however, say their main reason for wanting to quit is the cost.
Iowans who quit smoking will see improvements in blood circulation and lung function in as little as two weeks. Coughing and shortness of breath will begin to decrease after the first month. By this time, most smokers will have saved enough to buy a Blu-ray disc player or 60 gallons of gas.
For more information, call 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW). To calculate how much tobacco costs you based on your brand and the amount you smoke, visit www.quitlineiowa.org. Help is also available for users of chewing tobacco.