Colorado QuitLine Provides More Than 100,000 Free Nicotine Patches,
Improving Quit Rates for Coloradans

DENVER –The Colorado QuitLine, a free telephone coaching service for quitting tobacco, has provided more than 100,000 free supplies of the nicotine patch to Colorado residents since its inception in 2005. The patch has significantly increased smokers’ quitting success rates. Those who use the patch in combination with the QuitLine coaching services are nine times more likely to quit successfully compared to those quitting on their own.

“Nicotine patches are safe and effective in helping smokers quit,” said Ned Calonge, chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “The patches help curb cravings for tobacco without the 4,000 other toxins in cigarettes.”

Approximately 85 percent of Colorado smokers have indicated they want to quit, but only about 4 percent have succeeded when trying to quit on their own, according to a Colorado study. Those who use the QuitLine coaching services have a 28 percent quitting success rate, while those who use both the coaching services and the patch have a 38 percent success rate.

“It was the combination of the patch and the encouragement from the team of coaches that helped me quit smoking,” said Ellen Wood, who was a smoker for almost 50 years and has not smoked in more than a year and a half since using the QuitLine. “I actually looked forward to talking with the QuitLine coaches. They never scolded and were always so supportive.”

The QuitLine’s highly trained coaches help tobacco users set up a customized plan for quitting smoking. They offer tips on quitting for good, such as how to minimize stress, control weight gain and stop cravings. A free supply of nicotine patches are available to those participating in coaching services and who are at least 18 years of age. The QuitLine Web site offers 24-hour-a-day social support, expert coaching, personalized content and long-term relapse prevention. The online service can be used separately or in combination with the telephone-based service.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Colorado and the United States. An estimated 4,300 Coloradans die every year from tobacco-related illnesses. Long-term health benefits of quitting tobacco include decreased risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke, and increased life span.

To contact the Colorado QuitLine, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.coquitline.org. The Colorado QuitLine is operated by National Jewish Health under contract with the State Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Quitline offers bilingual services to Colorado residents. The QuitLine coaches are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.