Record 39,000 People Call State Tobacco Quit Line
State's Adult Smoking Rate Drops Below 20 Percent
Posted: 2:39 pm CST December 17, 2008
Related
READ: Article Archive
Surgeon General's Report
Smoke Free Wisconsin
American Cancer Society
Ban The Ban Wisconsin Need Help Quitting? Call Wisconsin's Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Smoking
SURVEY: 
TALKBACK: Previous Stories
READ: Article ArchiveRESOURCES
Surgeon General's Report Smoke Free Wisconsin American Cancer Society Ban The Ban Wisconsin Need Help Quitting? Call Wisconsin's Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOWMADISON, Wis. -- A record 39,000 smokers trying to stop called the state's Tobacco Quit Line this year.The toll-free service started in 2001. Since then, 122,000 people have called.Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake attributed the record number this year to a hike in the cigarette tax and an increase in smoke-free places across the state.The Quit Line also expanded its services, including giving smokers a free two-week starter kit of medications to help them quit.The federal Centers for Disease Control reported that Wisconsin's adult smoking rate dropped below 20 percent this year for the first time.The Quit Line is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. The number is 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
