Free Help to Quit Tobacco: 1-800-NO-BUTTS or http://nobutts.ucsd.edu

The 1-800-NO-BUTTS California Smokers’ Helpline has counseled nearly half a million people in many different languages over the last 17 years. Residents of all 50 states now have access to telephone counseling based on the California model.

Studies have shown that people who use quit lines are twice as likely to succeed in quitting tobacco than those without counseling. Counseling also increases success rates for those using nicotine replacement.

If quit lines are so successful, why do so many people still smoke? Too many people don’t know about the service - even your healthcare provider may not know!

In Mendocino County only 282 people called the 1-800-NO-BUTTS Helpline in 2008. Mendocino is among the California counties with the highest percentage of residents who smoke, have high blood pressure and die of heart failure. Let’s change that!

If the economy and your health are telling you NOW is the time to quit, call or visit the website: 1-800-NO-BUTTS or http://nobutts.ucsd.edu.

Article added 6/9/09 from Mendocino County Health and Human Services press release.