Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line

Have you ever wondered what happens when you call Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line?

 When you call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, you will automatically be directed to Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line. A

registration specialist will ask you a few standard questions before transferring you to a quit coach. Note: If you are a resident of Alaska but not calling from a 907 area code, you will need to speak with the registration specialist to be directed to Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line. The quit coach will: Ask questions about your tobacco use to assess your tobacco use history and individual needs. Identify personal patterns and triggers that cause you to want to use tobacco. Work with you to develop a personal quit plan and quit date and help you stay quit. Make a decision about nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum. Following the call: Quit materialswill be mailed to you after your first call with a quit coach. Materials include helpful information on topics such as: Making a decision about quitting Getting ready to quit Knowing what to expect when you quit Coping with withdrawal symptoms and stress Asking friends, family members or co-workers for support Avoiding relapse and staying tobacco-free Hear a Live Quit Coach Session                       Robert talks with a quit coach and        receives encouragement to remain tobacco-free after his stay in the hospital. The quit coach emphasizes how being tobacco-free will keep Robert’s heart healthy.

Is the quit line really free?

Yes, Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line is free to Alaskans and offers access to free telephone, web and text based support to quit tobacco. You can call the quit line as often as you like and are eligible to receive four pro-active support calls from a quit coach. Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line offers free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to all Alaskans who call and enroll in the program. NRT is available even if you are uninsured or without coverage from your health plan.

Does the quit line help with all forms of tobacco use?

Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line is here to help all of those who are addicted to tobacco products in any form, including smokeless products such as chewing tobacco and iqmik, as well as e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, vape pens, or any other electronic nicotine delivery system.

I’ve heard e-cigs are better than cigarettes and less harmful.  What’s in the cloud of smoke?

Because they are not FDA regulated, they don’t have to tell you what the ingredients are or what is exhaled.  The number of studies to determine what is in the “vapor” and the health effects of e-cig use and exposure is growing.  Studies have found that the aerosol or “cloud” contains at least 9 chemicals that are known carcinogens and toxins, including nicotine, formaldehyde, lead and acetone.