State Quitline Improves Tobacco Users’ Success in Quitting - September 22nd, 2010
A new report evaluating the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline found 38 percent of tobacco users who enrolled in the program to quit had not picked the habit back up one year later. This quit rate far exceeds the success of tobacco users who attempt to quit “cold turkey,” which has only a 5 to 10 percent quit rate.
“Research has shown the combination of counseling with a trained Quit Coach and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) medications can greatly increase a tobacco user’s success in quitting,” said Dr. Carolyn Dresler, director of the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. “In Arkansas, we are lucky to have a proven successful resource like the Quitline to give tobacco users the support they need to quit.”
Between July 2009 and June 2010, nearly 17,000 Arkansas tobacco users enrolled in the Quitline’s counseling program, which can include free NRT medications such as patches and gum. About 38 percent of callers who enrolled in a multiple-call program and received free NRT remained tobacco-free after one year, which shows that counseling and medication are providing good long-term quitting success. This quit rate is above the national goal, which is to have 30 percent remain tobacco-free after seven months.
The report, conducted by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Institute of Government Survey Research Center, found that in fiscal year 2010 alone, more than 5,500 Arkansans quit tobacco with the Quitline. This means that these Arkansans are more likely to lead a healthier, longer life with lower health care costs.
The Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program funds the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline through Tobacco Settlement Proceeds. Services are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. in English, Spanish, Marshallese and more than 160 other languages. For more information, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit stampoutsmoking.com.
