Quitting Tobacco Is Tough. Get Help From the Colorado Quitline

For thousands of Coloradoans who resolve to quit smoking this year, the Colorado Quitline (1-800-639-QUIT) offers a free service that can triple a person's chance of successfully kicking the habit. On average, fewer than one in 13 people succeed when they try to quit smoking on their own. However, about 20% of the 8,000 Colorado residents who have participated in the Quitline reported being smoke-free six months after they completed the program.

"One of the keys to successfully kicking the tobacco habit is good preparation," said Epi Mazzei, R.N., smoking-cessation specialist at National Jewish Medical and Research Center. National Jewish has recently begun providing smoking-cessation counseling for the Colorado Quitline. "Making a plan helps prepare you mentally to quit and to foresee and avoid situations that can spur you to smoke again."

Colorado residents who call the toll-free Colorado Quitline will receive guidance and support through the quitting process in up to five phone calls from smoking-cessation counselors. If a person is not ready to quit, the counselors can offer suggestions for steps to take in preparation for quitting. In addition to the counseling calls, smokers can receive printed information about smoking and quitting and classes.

For residents of other states, National Jewish offers the JustQuit™ smoking cessation program.