Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline Launches New Campaign

“Hard To Remember” Helps Former Tobacco Users Combat Cravings

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 2, 2024) – The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is launching a new statewide education campaign. The campaign highlights common scenarios that can trigger former tobacco users and instead encourages them to use Helpline resources to combat cravings.

The “Hard To Remember” campaign empathizes with people who know they should quit using tobacco but struggle to remember the reasons why. The messages speak to the inner conflict of knowing the healthy choice but battling against the addictiveness of nicotine. The television spot follows three individuals stuck in this crossroad, choosing to make the next step to quit.

“In the journey of quitting tobacco, some may find it challenging to remember the reasons behind their decision, especially during moments when triggers produce intense cravings,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “This new campaign highlights situations such as traffic stress and being around other tobacco users that may be tempting and directs individuals to the Helpline for support.”

The “Hard To Remember” campaign will broadcast on TV and radio stations statewide and includes social media content and print and digital ads. To see this campaign and learn more about the health risks of tobacco use, Oklahomans can visit OKhelpline.com.

Oklahomans who are thinking about quitting tobacco can sign up for services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline on the website, by calling 1-800-QUIT NOW or by texting READY to 34191.

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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 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 had more than half a million registrations 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.

The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research and working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. To learn more, go to Oklahoma.gov/TSET.  

TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health

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The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a FREE service for Oklahomans wanting to quit tobacco. Funding is primarily provided by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma Employees Group Insurance Division and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline has served more than 365,000 Oklahomans since 2003 and was ranked the top quitline for reaching tobacco users seeking treatment in FY2013 by the North American Quitline Consortium.

The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, by cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health. To learn more go to: www.ok.gov/tset.

For more information, contact:
Thomas Larson, Director of Public Information and Outreach
thomasl@tset.ok.gov
Direct: (405) 521-4992
Cell: (405) 642-6860