FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder, Office of Public Information
573-751-6062
 

Offer of free nicotine patches and gum concludes following overwhelming success
Quitline callers can still receive information, coaching to help them quit smoking

                                                                 
Missouri’s offer of free nicotine gum and patches to help smokers quit tobacco has concluded after an overwhelming response. The nicotine replacement products were being provided through the state’s Tobacco Quitline for a limited time – while supplies lasted – to Missourians who were uninsured or received Medicaid.

Gov. Matt Blunt announced the program April 24, and the Quitline immediately began receiving hundreds of calls a day.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Quitline received more calls from Missouri during the month of April than from any other state. The NCI reported 8,124 calls from Missouri during April, compared to 273 calls the previous month. A majority of the calls came during the final week of the month when the free nicotine replacement products were offered.

One of every five calls in the nation during April was from Missouri smokers.

More than 83 percent of the calls to Missouri were from residents who were either uninsured or received Medicaid, and 95 percent of those callers requested the nicotine patches or gum.

“The phenomenal response to the nicotine replacement products indicates that many smokers know about the health risks associated with tobacco use and really do want to quit,” said Jane Drummond, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which coordinates the Quitline services. “Hopefully, funding may again become available to offer the much-needed nicotine replacement products in the future.”

Drummond encourages smokers who have health insurance to check with their insurance providers to see if they cover some or all of the costs of tobacco cessation products.

“Even if your heath insurance doesn’t provide coverage, nicotine replacement products are a wise investment,” said Drummond. “The price of tobacco cessation products is definitely worth the health benefits. On average, the life expectancy for Missouri smokers is 14 years less than that of nonsmokers.”

Although the free nicotine patch and gum offer has ended, the Quitline will continue to mail information packets and provide telephone and online coaching to help smokers quit tobacco. The toll-free number is
1-800-QUIT-NOW.

For more information about tobacco prevention programs, contact the Missouri Tobacco Use Prevention Program toll-free at 1-866-726-9926 or visit www.dhss.mo.gov/SmokingAndTobacco. Additional materials are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health at 1-800-CDC1311 or www.cdc.gov/tobacco.