Smoker's Quitline takes 1 millionth call

Business First of Buffalo - by Tracey Drury

Eight years after it’s launch, the New York State Smokers Quitline has received its millionth call, pushing the state one step closer to achieving a goal of one million fewer smokers by 2010.
That was the message in Buffalo Friday as State Health Commissioner Richard Daines announced the milestone during a news conference at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Daines called the goal "very achievable," especially if smokers avail themselves of all the tools provided through the program, including free nicotine patches, telephone counseling and self-help booklets.
"We’ve driven a million people to call that line," Daines said. "The Quitline is ready to help the next million callers reach their New Year’s resolution to quit this year."
The Quitline, founded in 2000 and operated by Roswell Park, has helped an estimated 125,000 smokers quit. Officials estimate about a third of those who call the line will quit smoking. The State Department of Health awarded Roswell $5.5 million in 2004 to operate the line through May 2009.
K. Michael Cummings, director of the program and chairman of Roswell’s department of health behavior, called the program the largest of its kind in the world. Last year the line received over 280,000 calls - a number he hopes to double this year.  "Stopping smoking is not easy, but it does not have to be impossible either," he said.

Smokers can call the Quitline at (866)NYQUITS or find information online at www.nysmokefree.com.