Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death in Colorado, killing more than 5,100 people each year. That’s according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The department also reports that “health care costs related to smoking add up to more than $654 per Colorado household per year.”
So state health officials are offering free support and a financial incentive to help those who are trying to quit. State officials say quitting saves lives and money, and they note they’re making progress.
“Colorado is doing better in terms of smoking rates,” said Tiffany Schommer, tobacco cessation supervisor for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which manages the Colorado Quitline. “So we have seen for the first time current smoking among Colorado adults below 10%. So this is a monumental achievement for state and public health because cigarettes remain the deadliest product and kill more than 5,000 Coloradans each year.”
Colorado also ranks among the top states for tobacco treatment access, according to Schommer, who said the state provides “comprehensive support for all Coloradans, which is completely free.”
Since 2002, the Colorado Quitline has provided free tobacco treatment to anyone age 12 and older trying to quit any tobacco product, she said. Adults 18 and older may also receive nicotine replacement therapy products.
“The Colorado Quitline offers a multitude of services to anyone in our state, completely free of charge,” Schommer said.
She said services include phone-based coaching, web-based programs and text support. Free nicotine replacement products include “nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges and nicotine gum.” For youths ages 12 to 17, a separate program called My Life My Quit is available through an app run by National Jewish Health.
Research shows treatment increases the likelihood of success.
“We know from a large body of evidence that with treatment such as nicotine replacement therapy offers about a 60% greater likelihood of quitting for good than if you were to just try to quit cold turkey on your own,” Schommer said.
The Quitline supports people trying to quit cigarettes, vaping and other nicotine products.
“We treat people who are addicted to any nicotine products,” she said. “That includes cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, vape products or any other nicotine product.”
When people contact the Quitline, they work with certified tobacco treatment specialists.
“All of the Colorado Quitline coaches are certified tobacco treatment specialists and most of them have actually been nicotine users themselves in the past,” Schommer said. “So they understand the journey, they understand the struggles.”
Schommer emphasized the importance of persistence.
“Keep trying,” she said, during a recent interview with Colorado Matters host Chandra Thomas Whitfield. “We know that it takes an average tobacco or nicotine user seven to 10 attempts before they become successful.”
To encourage participation, the Quitline is also offering a financial incentive.
“We are currently offering all Coloradans $100 to quit,” Schommer said.
She said demand has been strong.
“We’ve seen such great interest with this that we have extended the deadline indefinitely,” she said.
The Colorado Quitline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit ColoradoQuits.com or call (800) QUIT-NOW.
To read more stories from Colorado Public Radio, visit www.cpr.org.
