Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline Launches New Media Campaign

Highlights Success Stories of Oklahomans Quitting Tobacco

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oct. 18, 2021 — The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), recently launched a new statewide media campaign highlighting the stories of Oklahomans who successfully quit tobacco using the Helpline.

The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free service for all Oklahomans who are thinking about quitting tobacco use. Oklahomans can call 1-800-QUIT NOW or register online at OKhelpline.com to talk with a specially trained Quit Coach who provides nonjudgmental support, helps tobacco users build personalized quit plans and walks registrants through the process of receiving free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. All of these services, quit coaching by phone, web and text support and at least a two-week starter kit of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges are available for free to all Oklahoma tobacco users 18 years and older.

“In addition to the patches, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline also provided text message support, which was very valuable. There would be days that I would be feeling down or vulnerable, and I would get a supportive text and it would be exactly what I needed on that day,” Candace Hammontree said in a recent testimonial. “The Quit Coaches are absolutely sympathetic and not judgmental. They understand you’re in a moment of struggle, and they help you through it. That’s exactly what they’re there for.”

Research shows that many tobacco users try quitting seven times or more before they are successful, but the chances of quitting tobacco are three times greater for those who make a plan and set a quit date with the free services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline.

“Many smokers feel judged by the world around them, and that adds to the burden of quitting. When people call the Helpline, they get judgement-free support,” said Paola Klein, Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline coordinator. “The Helpline and Quit Coaches allow tobacco users to approach quitting their own way using evidence-based methods that are proven to increase their likelihood of success.” 

Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit OKhelpline.com to explore all the free services and resources available to Oklahomans.

For Oklahoma youth ages 13 – 17 considering quitting tobacco, the My Life, My Quit program is a free live texting, web chat or phone based service. Free services for teens can be accessed at MyLifeMyQuit.com or by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072.

You can also connect with the Helpline through Facebook or by following us @OKhelpline on Twitter and Instagram.

###

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 470,000 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.comor 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