Go Tobacco-Free this Father’s Day with Help from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline

FREE Resources Allow You to Give Your Family the Gift of Health

OKLAHOMA CITY – June 17, 2021 — This Father’s Day, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), encourages fathers to take the first step towards a healthier life for themselves and their families by quitting tobacco. The Helpline’s FREE resources are proven to increase your chances of quitting tobacco — and remaining tobacco free.

Among Oklahoman fathers, tobacco use remains a serious problem. 21% of Oklahoma men smoke, while almost 14% use smokeless tobacco. Male smokers put themselves at high risk for developing smoking-related health issues like lung cancer, stroke and heart disease. Plus, through secondhand smoke, they risk endangering the health of their children.

Shaun Pryor, of Edmond, smoked and dipped for many years – going through five to seven cigars and a can of dip per day. After having a heart attack in his early 30s, he quit tobacco. A few months later, however, he went right back.

“One day, my son found my cigar wrappers, and he said to me, ‘Dad, you need to quit. I want you to quit,’” Pryor said. “It hurt. I was embarrassed.

“I am not the ‘I need help guy,’ but I went to the doctor. When my doctor told me about the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, it opened up a new door. This time, I had people in my corner supporting me — which I didn’t expect. They were so encouraging, and they still are to this day. I couldn’t have done this by myself,” Pryor said.

To assist Oklahoma fathers on their quitting journey, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline connects registrants with specially trained Quit Coaches who provide nonjudgmental support and help build customized Quit Plans. Oklahomans interested in quitting tobacco may also access free text and email support, along with free patches, gum or lozenges.

“With customizable, complimentary options and resources that can be tailored to your personal preferences and lifestyle, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is an invaluable resource for Oklahomans,” said Paola Klein, Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline coordinator. “This Father’s Day, consider calling the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline and give your family the gift of a healthy life.”

Father’s Day is also a time to think about the effects of tobacco use on loved ones. The influence and habits of a father on the lives of his children is unparalleled. Kids from families who smoke are twice as likely to become smokers themselves, despite the fact that most fathers don’t want to pass tobacco use on to their children.

For teens who struggle with tobacco use, help is here. My Life, My Quit offers free live text support, web chat and phone coaching for teens 13-17. To sign up for services, teens can simply text “Start My Quit” to 36072 or visit MyLifeMyQuit.com.

This Father’s Day, consider a healthier life for you and your family by thinking about quitting tobacco. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit OKhelpline.com to explore all the free services and resources available to Oklahomans. You can also connect with the Helpline through Facebook or by following us @OKhelpline on Twitter and Instagram.

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The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free service for Oklahomans wanting to help themselves, loved ones, patients or employees live tobacco free. Funding is primarily provided by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline has served more than 450,000 Oklahomans since 2003 and has been ranked among the top quitlines for reaching tobacco users seeking treatment for the last 10 years by the North American Quitline Consortium.

My Life, My Quit is a free program to help Oklahoma teens, ages 13-17, quit tobacco and e-cigarettes. By offering free live texting, web chat and phone calls, My Life, My Quit supports teens through the steps of quitting tobacco. Funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, these free services for Oklahoma teens can be found at MyLifeMyQuit.com or by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072.

The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. By providing leadership to local coalitions and initiatives across the state, TSET is cultivating innovative and life-changing research, while working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the health of all Oklahomans. To learn more, visit www.ok.gov/tset.

TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health

For more information, contact:
Thomas Larson, Director of Public Information and Outreach
thomasl@tset.ok.gov
Cell: (405) 642-6860