Phillips County Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Montana Tobacco Quit Line

May is Montana Quit Month and the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program is proud to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Montana Tobacco Quit Line. More than 70,000 Montanans have called into the Quit Line for help since its launch in May 2004.

Over the last 10 years, the Montana Tobacco Quit Line has had great success with a 6-month quit rate of 38 percent. People who use the quit line are seven to 10 times more likely to successfully quit than those who try to quit on their own.

Montana tobacco users want to quit using these deadly and addictive products. According to the 2013 Montana Adult Tobacco Survey, over 70% of current smokers and over 50% of current smokeless tobacco users want to quit using tobacco for good.

Sonia Young of the Phillips County Coalition for Healthy Choices says, “The Montana Tobacco Quit Line is a free service that helps people stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco products. A quit coach will assist participants in making a quit plan and setting a quit date. Also callers may be eligible for free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or reduced cost prescription cessation medications.”

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line is continually trying to improve services. Last year it launched the Pregnancy Postpartum Program that provides special benefits for pregnant women. These benefits include incentives for each completed coaching call, a specially trained coach who will help the participant throughout the whole process, text message reminders, and free NRT with doctor’s approval and prescription.

Earlier this year the program launched a new website, http://www.QuitNowMontana.com. This website allows individuals to browse facts about health and tobacco use. Tobacco Users can also enroll online and choose if they would like to sign up for the Quit Line phone program, or online programs including email and text message quit tips. Once online, participants can schedule coaching calls, track NRT shipments, and use message board features to encourage other people who are currently aiming to quit. Participants must sign up for the phone program to be eligible for free NRT and discounted medications.

Remember, if you or a loved one would like some help quitting tobacco, call the Montana Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or visit our website at http://www.QuitNowMontana.com.