June 27, 2000

Contact: Bonnie Widerburg, (971) 673-1282

OREGONIANS ARE CALLING IT QUITS

The Oregon Tobacco Quit Line just received its 15,000th call from tobacco users wanting help to quit. "The Quit Line has been in operation only for 18 months and we're proud to be serving so many people," said Clay Parton, manager of Tobacco Prevention and Education for the Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Services. "Oregon is a leader in this effort, and the system is really working well."

Stacy Duggan of Portland has used the service. "I've been smoking since I was 15 years old, and now I'm finally free," Duggan said. "I go for long walks, I take the kids to the park, I feel better and I look better." She smoked one pack of cigarettes a day for 15 years before quitting four months ago.

"The Quit Line was there when I needed answers. I don't think I could have done it without the people on the other end of the line," Duggan said. "The thing that makes me feel really good about quitting is that my kids are no longer exposed to secondhand smoke. This has done wonderful things for my self-confidence. I am like a new person."

This specific program is available only in Oregon. A few other states offer quit lines and Washington State and Montana are considering similar programs.

Every day dozens of smokers phone the Quit Line to get help from a trained counselor. These counselors analyze the callers' tobacco use patterns and help them identify upcoming stressful events and coping strategies. Together they develop a personal quitting plan.

Ani O'Hara, Quit Line Director, believes that this personal approach is the key. "A lot of people want to quit. There is social and financial pressure. Cigarettes cost a lot of money and people want to spend their money in ways that give them more pleasure," said O'Hara. Cigarettes cost as much as $3.00 per pack.

In addition to a personalized quit plan, callers receive an "Oregon Tobacco Quit Kit" in the mail. Inside the kit is a worry stone and other helpful tools to keep smoker's hands busy. Doug Pitts is a smoking counselor with the Quit Line.

"What we find is that people need to have something to pull on, unwind, or bend. Anything to keep their hands busy helps because a lot of smoking behavior involves manipulation," Pitts said.

"Oregon is unique," Pitts said. "Anybody who lives in Oregon and wants to quit can call us for free and talk to us for 20 or 30 minutes. They also get a free Quit Kit. This is special."

O'Hara says that the Quit Line is making a difference in the lives of those they serve. "When someone calls us and tells us that their lives changed, that they feel better and their life is better because they quit, we know we're in the right business," she said.

The Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Program is a comprehensive effort to reduce the use of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke. It includes programs in local communities, schools, businesses, media and special populations. The program is funded by a tobacco tax increase approved by the voters in 1996. Ten percent of the new revenue is allocated to tobacco use prevention and reduction. Oregonians who are ready to quit tobacco, call toll-free 1-877-270 STOP(English), or 1-877-2NOFUME (Spanish), or 1-877-772-6534 (TTY).