The following is a press release from Inyo County Health and Human Services:

Quitting smoking just got a little easier.

nicotine patch1

 

For a limited time, the California Smokers’ Helpline is sending callers from lnyo and Mono County free nicotine patches. Eligible tobacco users who call 1-800-NO-BUTTS and enroll in the free telephone-based quitting program will receive a free two-week starter kit of patches, while supplies last.

“The Helpline has already served over half a million smokers,” said Christopher Anderson, the Helpline’s Program Director. “We hope this new opportunity will motivate even more people to give quitting a try.”

The patches are an FDA-approved treatment proven to help smokers kick the habit. They release nicotine into the bloodstream through the skin, reducing withdrawal symptoms and slowly weaning smokers off nicotine.

lnyo and Mono Counties were two of 34 counties in California selected to participate in this program. All 34 counties have an adult smoking prevalence rate of 14 percent or higher, according to the 2008 California Tobacco Survey; the rate is 16 percent in lnyo County; the rate in Mono County is also 16 percent. In comparison, the 2010 statewide adult smoking rate is 11.9 percent.

According to lnyo HHS Director Jean Turner, quitting smoking is one of the hardest and best things you can do for yourself. This offer of a free two-week supply of nicotine patches may just double your chances of being successful. However, they are not a cure-all. They are a temporary fix to help you make it through the initial withdrawal period after you’ve quit smoking. And, most importantly, it could very well jump start your efforts to make a change for the better for your health, your family, and your life.”

This new program is part of a nationwide effort called Communities Putting Prevention to Work, which aims to improve health and lower medical costs by preventing disease, such as those caused by tobacco use.

“Helpline counseling doubles smokers’ chance of success in quitting,” said Anderson. “People who use both counseling and a quitting aid, such as the patch, have the best chance of quitting for good. So now is a perfect time to make that call and get started.”

The free patches will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to those who call 1-800-

NO-BUTTS.

Callers to the Smokers’ Helpline will also receive free one-on-one support from a trained cessation counselor, a self-help booklet and referral to local quit-smoking programs when available. It is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Helpline has specialized services for pregnant smokers, tobacco chewers and teens. All services are available in multiple languages:

1-800-NO-BUTTS English

1-800-45-NO-FUME Spanish

For more information, visit www.NoButts.org or contact Chris Anderson at 858-300-1032 or

 

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