Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Works to Help Missourians Quit Smoking
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt announced that the Missouri Tobacco Quitline is offering a free supply of nicotine patches or gum to qualifying Missourians who want to quit smoking. The nicotine replacement therapy will be available while supplies last to residents who are uninsured or receive Medicaid.
"I am very pleased the state of Missouri will offer this free supply of nicotine replacement products to help smokers jump start their efforts to quit," Gov. Blunt said. "Quitting smoking improves the health and wellness of not only the smoker, but also the health of family, friends and co-workers who are exposed to the secondhand smoke. We all have a personal responsibility to be active participants in our own health and wellness and I am pleased for this opportunity to partner with Missourians who want to improve their quality of life."
According to Jane Drummond, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the free nicotine patches or gum will be sent to uninsured Missourians or Medicaid recipients who enroll through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Tobacco Quitline by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing the funding for the nicotine replacement products, which will be targeted at lower income populations. Roughly 35 percent of people earning less than $15,000 per year smoke, compared to about 17 percent of people who earn $50,000 per year or more.
Gov. Blunt unveiled the Missouri Tobacco Quitline in 2005 to provide free telephone coaching and other assistance to Missourians wanting to quit using tobacco. Professional coaches work with callers to develop a plan to help them quit tobacco. Callers are also provided with a "quit kit" containing information to help them stop smoking.
Every year nearly 10,000 Missourians die from smoking-related diseases. Missouri's adult smoking rate is higher than the national average. In 2004, just over 24 percent of Missouri adults smoked, compared to 20.8 percent nationwide.
For more information about tobacco prevention programs visit www.dhss.mo.gov/SmokingAndTobacco.