Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline Joins National Movement To Help Smokers Quit for Good
OKLAHOMA CITY – This November, Oklahomans have a chance to take a significant step toward a tobacco-free life during the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 21, an annual event organized by the American Cancer Society encouraging people nationwide to quit tobacco. Through the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) offers free resources and support, reinforcing the importance of tobacco cessation with a strong network of community support.
“Quitting tobacco is the most beneficial decision a person can make for lifelong health, and the Great American Smokeout provides a valuable starting point,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “The Helpline’s free resources and support empower all Oklahomans to build a healthier future for themselves and their communities.”
The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline offers free, accessible resources to help those looking to quit tobacco take control of their health. Services include nicotine replacement therapy options such as patches, gum or lozenges, online support tools and individualized coaching. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline’s commitment to community health is further underscored by personalized quit plans tailored to support each step of the cessation process.
Almost 28,000 tobacco users in Oklahoma registered for Helpline services last year. Remarkably, nearly 45% of those surveyed seven months after beginning their quit journey reported being tobacco-free for the previous 30 days, a success rate well above the 30% benchmark set by the North American Quitline Consortium.
“The Helpline is here to provide tailored, compassionate support, equipping Oklahomans with personalized quit plans, resources and expert coaching as they prepare for the Great American Smokeout,” said Christin Kirchenbauer, Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline director. “People who use the Helpline are more than twice as likely to quit successfully, enjoying both immediate and lifelong health benefits.”
Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669), text READY to 34191 or visit OKhelpline.com to explore all the free services and resources available to Oklahomans. Connect with the Helpline through social media by liking the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline on Facebook or following @OKhelpline on Instagram.
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The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free service for Oklahomans wanting to help themselves, loved ones, patients or employees live tobacco free. Funding is primarily provided by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline has had more than half a million registrations since 2003 and has been ranked among the top quitlines for reaching tobacco users seeking treatment for the last 10 years by the North American Quitline Consortium.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research and working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. To learn more, go to Oklahoma.gov/TSET.
TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health