Georgians urged to quit smoking during Great American Smokeout

Released on = January 24, 2005, 11:40 am

Press Release Author = Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR)

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = Nov. 17, 2004 -- The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), is gearing up for the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout® on
Nov. 18 by encouraging Georgia tobacco users to take the ‘quit challenge’ and call the DHR Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (1-877-270-STOP/Spanish speakers call 1-877-2NO-FUME). The Tobacco Quit Line now features extended hours and provides
youth services.

Press Release Body = ATLANTA (GA) – The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), is gearing up for the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout® on Nov. 18 by encouraging Georgia tobacco users to take the ‘quit challenge’ and call the DHR
Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (1-877-270-STOP/Spanish speakers call 1-877-2NO-FUME). The Tobacco Quit Line now features extended hours and provides youth services.

“The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line has been a tremendous asset in helping Georgians become healthier,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., director, DHR Division of Public Health. “Now with longer hours and the addition of youth-targeted counseling, the Quit Line can build upon its current success and assist even more
smokers in quitting tobacco for good.” The Quit Line will now operate daily from 8 a.m. to midnight. This is the first
time the Quit Line will offer services on Sunday. Additional operating days and times will make it even more convenient for Georgia tobacco users to get the help that they need.

Additionally, the Quit Line will provide support and resources for Georgia teens ages 13 to 17 who use tobacco. Studies have shown these are the ages when most kids typically begin smoking. DHR’s recently published 2004 Georgia Tobacco Surveillance Report supports the critical need for youth tobacco programs, finding that 9 percent of Georgia middle school students and 24 percent of high school students use some form of tobacco.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that tobacco cessation medications such as the patch only be used by adults 18 and older. The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line is an ideal option for teens who have limited cessation resources.
Youth who call the Quit Line will receive free counseling, support and referral services from trained counselors known as “youth coaches.”

DHR’s Georgia Tobacco Quit Line is a toll-free resource for all people in Georgia who want to quit smoking. Callers speak with trained counselors who help develop an individualized quit plan specific to the callers’ needs and readiness to quit. Since its launch three years ago, the Quit Line has helped more than 35,000 Georgians in their quest to become tobacco-free. A 2003 six-month follow-up survey of callers showed 26 percent of respondents reported not having used tobacco for at least seven days, and 23 percent reported not having used tobacco for one or more months.

For more information, visit http://health.state.ga.us or call the DHR Quit Line for free information about quitting tobacco at 1-877-270-STOP. Spanish speaking callers
should call 1-877-2NO-FUME.

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Web Site = http://health.state.ga.us

Contact Details = For information, contact:
Richard Quarterone
DHR, Division of Public Health
404/463-4627
rquartarone@dhr.state.ga.us