More Montgomery County residents expected to call Quitline Iowa

If a statewide study of tobacco use is any indication, the vast majority of Iowa smokers in Taylor County want to quit. Thanks to a new campaign from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), 2011 might just be the year tobacco users in Montgomery County beat their addiction to tobacco.

The new “Operation 83” campaign highlights the fact that 83 percent of Iowa smokers statewide say they want to quit. Using data from the Iowa Adult Tobacco Survey, the campaign coincides with the seasonal spike in calls to 1-800-QUIT-NOW when many Iowa smokers make New Year’s resolutions to choose health over tobacco.

“The Surgeon General has been warning us about the health effects of smoking for a long time.” said Susan Parrott, youth coordinator for Free People From Tobacco.  “Sometimes smokers think it is too late to quit, but it is never too late.”

When Iowans call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), counselors help them understand the underlying reasons for smoking and how to break the cycle of addiction that makes it so difficult to quit. Together, these insights can more than double one’s chances of successfully quitting tobacco use.

During the campaign, IDPH is leveraging community partnerships in nearly every county in Iowa, including Montgomery County. Since November, partners have been visiting local doctors’ offices and clinics with information designed to help providers introduce the free Quitline Iowa services to their patients who use tobacco.

“Quitline is such a valuable resource.  Our hope is that health care providers and smokers alike take advantage of it.” said Judy Boye, Outreach Coordinator for Free People From Tobacco.  

Quitline Iowa is available for free to all Iowa adults who want to quit tobacco use. For more information, call 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or visit www.quitlineiowa.org.