Program Helps Nebraskans Quit Tobacco Use

Source from:  media.www.dailynebraskan.com Calli Lounsbury 10/10/07 10/11/2007

PrintEmail DoubleClick Any Word Page 1 of 1 A wily novelist once said, "Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times." But contrary to Mark Twain's witty sarcasm, quitting is hard. Now, however, there is another way to help tobacco users kick the habit. Since its induction in June 2006, The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline has helped more than 1,000 tobacco addicts. Nebraska Health and Human Services sponsors the 24-hour hotline with the help of trained counselors from the American Cancer Society. The Quitline is a free telephone counseling program, said Christine Winter, Northern Area Communications Director for the ACS. By navigating through a series of prompts, the caller can find a counselor for his/her specific tobacco addiction. Callers can then schedule telephone counseling sessions when it's convenient for them - even nights and weekends - without having to leave home. Counseling sessions are offered from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The counselors plan a unique strategy for the caller's specific habits and personal concerns, and they send printed materials and connect callers with other people in their area who are trying to quit. Typical smokers are provided five 20-40 minute sessions after their initial intervention call. The Quitline has received calls from 73 counties, with more than half of the callers being women, said Judy Martin, a Tobacco Free Nebraska administrator with Nebraska Health and Human Services. The average age of callers is 46. Callers in their 20s are more worried about the cost and smell of smoking, while the 40-year-olds are starting to worry about cancer. According to the ACS, using a telephone quitline has been proven to double your chances of successfully quitting. Quitting is hard, but the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline can make it easier. Enditem