For the first time in the 20-year history of the Kansas Tobacco Quitline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is offering all phone coaching enrollees eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy while supplies last. Public Health Educator Katelyn Sigler with the Barton County Health Department said it's a big deal for those with insurance that does not cover the therapy.
"Having that ability for the free eight weeks is an awesome deal," she said. "Quitting is so hard, and it takes multiple attempts. This just, I feel like, will give a lot of people the step they need when they didn't have money for Nicotine Replacement Therapy, and maybe that was a barrier for them. Now that barrier can be taken down, and they can get the help they need."
Participants 18 years and older who want to quit smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco and enroll in the phone coaching program can choose a lozenge, gum, or patch that will be mailed directly to their home if they enroll by midnight on Sunday, April 30. Sigler said, along with the coaching program, it helps to have personal reasons to quit.
"Maybe you have health concerns you want to improve, and that's your motivation," she said. "You have family and friends that want you to quit, and that's your motivation."
The Kansas Tobacco Quitline is a free, 24/7 resource available to Kansas residents to help them quit smoking. The Quitline provides help, such as counseling, a personalized Quit Plan, and quitting support by phone and through online services. A survey of Quitline users highlighted that 90 percent of participants were satisfied with the Quitline coaches and counselors. The Quitline can be reached by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).