Expansion to help Winneshiek County residents affected by economy
Smokers in Winneshiek County affected by the economic downturn now have a valuable tool for quitting. With the typical pack-a-day Iowa smoker now spending nearly $1,900 per year on cigarettes, Quitline Iowa (1-800-QUIT-NOW) is doubling the amount of nicotine patches and gum available to callers during the month of January.
In Iowa, cigarettes cost $5.18 per pack on average, or about $36 per week for a pack-a-day smoker. Iowans can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to receive a free four-week supply of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. Quitline Iowa also has specially trained quit coaches who help make individualized quit plans and offer ongoing support through follow-up calls. After January 31, Quitline will resume offering callers the two-week supply available throughout the year.
According to the most recent data from Iowa Department of Public Health, about 12.7 percent of Iowans living in rural counties such as Winneshiek County currently smoke. Among them, 85 percent say they wish to quit, mainly for health reasons. Nearly 20 percent, however, say their main reason for wanting to quit is the cost.
“In Iowa, 4,400 people die each year from their own smoking,” said Marilyn Zweibahmer, Prevention Specialist, Helping Services for Northeast Iowa. “Make this the year to quit with the resources available from Quitline Iowa.”
Iowans who quit smoking will see improvements in blood circulation and lung function in as little as two weeks. Coughing and shortness of breath will begin to decrease after the first month. By this time, most smokers will have saved enough to buy a Blu-ray disc player or 60 gallons of gas.
For more information, call 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW). To calculate how much tobacco costs you based on your brand and the amount you smoke, visit www.quitlineiowa.org. Help is also available for users of chewing tobacco.
