Quitline Iowa discontinuing free nicotine patches, gum

As of June 30, Iowa's helpline for quitting tobacco use will no longer offer callers free nicotine patches and gum. Faced with budget cuts, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has decided to focus on maintaining Quitline Iowa's free counseling services.

When Iowans call the Quitline, counselors help them understand the underlying reasons for smoking and how to break the habits that make it so difficult to quit. Together, these insights can more than double one's chances of successfully quitting tobacco use.

Since 2008, nearly 54,300 Iowans have called 1-800-QUIT-NOW to work with quit coaches to develop and execute personalized, long-term plans for quitting tobacco use. Approximately 27,450 of those callers have taken advantage of Quitline Iowa's nicotine replacement patches and gum.

A wide variety of quit aids, including nicotine replacement products, are available through retailers such as local pharmacies. Most sell a two-week supply for about $25 -- considerably less than the cost of just one week's supply of cigarettes to a pack-a-day smoker.

For more information, call 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or visit

www.quitlineiowa.org