FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 09 2024
Contact: Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov
The Tobacco Quit Line Has Helped Over 36,000 Montanans Stop Tobacco Use
Program celebrates 20 th anniversary
Officials with the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) report the Montana Tobacco Quit Line has served more than 115,000 Montanans since it was first launched in May 2004. And, more than 36,000 of those served by the program have successfully quit using tobacco and nicotine products.
In celebration of its 20 th Anniversary, the Quit Line is getting a new logo and new name: Quit Now Montana.
Quit Now Montana still offers free quit coaching over the phone. Montanans can now also access coaching through online chat, and text messaging is available for those under 25 years of age.
The program continues to offer free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges) and other FDA quit medications.
Quit Now Montana staff work to stay informed about all of the emerging tobacco products that are addicting new generations of Montanans. The program aids clients with quitting all forms of commercial tobacco use, including newer products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
While cigarette smoking among Montana adults has decreased from 20 percent in 2004 to 15 percent in 2022, tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death. Each year, 1,600 Montanans die from cigarette smoking.
In Montana, an estimated 128,000 adults and 18,000 youth currently use tobacco. Additionally, use of tobacco products disproportionately affects vulnerable populations including youth, Medicaid recipients, American Indian adults, pregnant women, and those with behavioral health conditions.
Quit Now Montana provides specialized services to those more heavily burdened by commercial tobacco: My Life, My Quit for ages under 18, an incentivized Pregnancy Program, the American Indian Commercial Tobacco Quit Program and a Behavioral Health Program. Visit QuitNowMontana.com to learn more about each of these tailored services.
“There is no safe level of exposure to commercial tobacco products,” said Nicole Aune, DPHHS Section Supervisor of the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Section. “These products contain known harmful toxins which can lead to health complications and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, lung diseases, cancers, and stroke. These products are also known to be incredibly addicting and quitting commercial tobacco products can be a challenge without support.”
About 70 percent of people who smoke report wanting to quit, while 50 percent attempt to quit each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 4 percent of people who try to quit on their own succeed compared to 34 percent of people who successfully quit by accessing coaching and quit medications through Quit Now Montana.
Aune urges Montanans to utilize these valuable services. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW or visit www.QuitNowMontana.com .