MADISON, Wis. -- University of Wisconsin tobacco researchers said that they have encouraging news for smokers trying to quit.

The Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention recently released the findings of a major study that followed smokers in Madison and Milwaukee. The study participants were given five different kinds of treatments to see which worked the best to help smokers quit.

"What we found was the highest abstinence rates -- or the people who were the most able to quit -- were the people who got the combination of the nicotine patch and the nicotine lozenge," said Dr. Megan Piper. "We're really excited because 40 percent of the people in that group were able to quit for six months."

Piper said the study also showed the importance of counseling. She said smokers who really want to quit need support to do it.

Smokers can call the state's tobacco quit line at (800) QUIT-NOW.

The state's tobacco quit line had increased calls after the recent cigarette tax hike went into effect, but officials said Thursday that those calls have leveled off.