The Arizona Smokers Helpline or ASHLine has seen an increase in calls lately.
The call center, located in Tucson, fields about 240 calls a week, compared to 160 a week last year.
Their “quit-coaches” sign people up and then check back regularly to see progress. They say the population of smokers in Arizona is down to about 16%.
ASHLine Director Stephen Michael says while they have their fair share of repeat customers, they are always there to get them back on track.
”We know we’re making an impact. Do we make as much of an impact as raising the cost of cigarettes, probably not. But for the folks who call us, usually about 35 to 40 percent will stay quit for at least a year,” Michael said.
The helpline is completely confidential and free, funded through tobacco tax dollars. For more information, you can go to www.ashline.org or call 1-800-55-66-222.
Source: KVOA.com, http://www.kvoa.com/news/arizona-smokers-helpline-seeing-increase-in-calls
