Del Norte County smokers offered free nicotine patches

For a limited time, the California Smokers’ Helpline is sending callers from Del Norte County free nicotine patches. Eligible tobacco users who call the helpline and enroll in the free telephone-based quitting program will receive a free two-week starter kit of patches, while supplies last.

“The Helpline has already served over half a million smokers,” said Christopher Anderson, the Helpline’s Program director. “We hope this new opportunity will motivate even more people to give quitting a try.”

The patches are an FDA-approved treatment proven to help smokers kick the habit. They release nicotine into the bloodstream through the skin, reducing withdrawal symptoms and slowly weaning smokers off nicotine.

Del Norte County was one of 34 counties in California selected to participate in this program. All 34 counties have an adult smoking prevalence rate of 14 percent or higher, according to the 2008 California Tobacco Survey; the rate is 16 percent in Del Norte County. In comparison, the 2010 statewide adult smoking rate is 11.9 percent.

This new program is part of a nationwide effort called Communities Putting Prevention to Work, which aims to improve health and lower medical costs by preventing disease, such as those caused by tobacco use.

“Helpline counseling doubles smokers’ chance of success in quitting,” said Anderson. “People who use both counseling and a quitting aid, such as the patch, have the best chance of quitting for good. So now is a perfect time to make that call and get started.” The free patches will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to those who call 1-800-NO-BUTTS.

Callers to the helpline may receive free one-on-one support from a trained cessation counselor, a self-help booklet and referral to local quit-smoking programs. It’s open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The Helpline has specialized services for pregnant smokers, tobacco chewers and teens. All services are available in multiple languages: English, 1-800-NO-BUTTS; Spanish, 1-800-45-NO-FUME; Mandarin and Cantonese, 1-800-838-8917; Korean, 1-800-556-5564; and Vietnamese, 1-800-778-8440; or go to NoButts.org.