Montana Tobacco Quit Line to continue four-week 'patch' promo

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line is extending its May promotion of four weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum or lozenges), the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced Monday.

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line is extending its May promotion of four weeks of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum or lozenges), the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced Monday.

"The Quit Line had an increase in calls from the May promotion and we want to keep up the incentive to quit with the extension of benefits," said DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell.

"We hope more Montanans will be inspired to take this important step toward improving their health and call the Montana Tobacco Quit Line. Since the Quit Line was started in May 2004, more than 35,000 Montanans have called for assistance."

Along with free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, now in its sixth year, also offers free cessation coaching, help developing individualized quit plans and reduced cost Chantix or bupropion.

Calls are toll-free at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).

"The majority of Montana tobacco users want to quit," says Heather Beck, Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program cessation specialist for DPHHS.

"With the assistance of programs like the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, they are up to 10 times more likely to succeed."

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line is funded by the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program.

The DPHHS Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program uses comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to prevent Montana youth from starting to use tobacco, eliminate secondhand smoke exposure and help those who use tobacco to quit.

CDC studies have confirmed that comprehensive tobacco use prevention programming is critical in reducing the death and disease caused by tobacco.