1-800-QUIT-NOW Offers Free Services to Oklahomans
OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 26, 2019) — The annual evaluation report of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (OTH) showed that Helpline users are overwhelmingly satisfied with services and the Helpline exceeded the benchmark quit rate among other states with tobacco helplines.
The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) is funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) and provides free tools and support to quit tobacco use. Services are available 24/7 and include phone, web coaching, free text and email support. Registered callers can also receive free nicotine gum, patches and lozenges.
The report found that 30,046 tobacco users registered for services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. Across all Helpline registrants, 94.9% reported overall satisfaction ratings of ‘very,’ ‘mostly,’ or ‘somewhat’ satisfied with Helpline services, with only 4.4% ‘not at all’ satisfied.
“The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is one of the top quitlines in the country, and we’re proud of users’ satisfaction with the service and their success in breaking tobacco addiction,” said TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee. “The Helpline has continued to evolve to meet users’ needs, such as adding text and internet support. That innovation has contributed to the Helpline’s longstanding success.”
The number of Helpline registrants during state fiscal year 2019 was similar to the same time period in 2018, and represents 3.3% of all tobacco users in the state.
During a seven-month follow-up survey, 31.5% of those surveyed reported not using tobacco for one month or longer, exceeding the North American Quitline Consortium benchmark for quit rates of 30%.
“The annual report examines who is using the Helpline, how they hear about our services and the success of users in their journey toward being tobacco-free,” Bisbee said. “These metrics show us the success of the program and areas to enhance to better reach specific groups of Oklahomans who smoke at a higher rate, and unfortunately have higher rates of disease and death.”
Director Dr. Jon Hart noted that the report illustrated the difference that the Helpline is making in Oklahomans’ lives.
“The results of this year’s annual report provided us with an opportunity for gratitude this holiday season, as we reflect on the positive impact the OTH had on the lives of Oklahomans,” Dr. Hart said. “The results serve as both encouragement and a sobering challenge to continue to improve our reach and effectiveness with individuals across the state who are thinking about quitting and needing support.”
Other key findings from the report include:
• TV ads were the most frequently cited (34%) way that registrants heard about the Helpline.
• Use of e-cigarettes or vaping products in the past 30 days by Helpline participants seeking services increased by 30% compared to fiscal year 2017.
• Tobacco users from all 77 Oklahoma counties contacted the Helpline for services in FY19. Of tobacco users registering for services, 17% came from Oklahoma County and another 15% came from Tulsa County.
•Morethanthree-quarters (77%) of registrants received nicotine replacement therapy from the Helpline.
• More than half (52.5%) of tobacco users registering for services reported having at least one mental health or substance abuse disorder. Seventy percent of those reported having depression.
• More than half (55.3%) of registrants had incomes of less than $20,000 in FY19.
•Almosttwo-thirds(61.7%) of registrants with Helpline were female.
Quit Coaches are available 24/7 through the Helpline to create customized Quit Plans for registrants. Free FDAapproved nicotine replacement therapy and online and text support are available. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit OKhelpline.com to explore all the free services and resources available to Oklahomans.
The full report can be found at TSET.ok.gov. Connect with the Helpline through social media by liking the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline on Facebook or following @OKhelpline on Twitter and Instagram.
The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free service for Oklahomans who want 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, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline has served nearly 400,000 Oklahomans since 2003 and has been ranked among the top quitlines for reaching tobacco users seeking treatment for the last ten years by the North American Quitline Consortium.
The Oklahoma 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. TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health. To learn more go to: www.ok.gov/tset.