• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / Free nicotine patches and gum return to Quitline Iowa (audio)

Free nicotine patches and gum return to Quitline Iowa (audio)

July 4, 2013 By Matt Kelley

cigaretteA temporary offer of free nicotine patches and gum for Iowans who are trying to quit smoking is being extended.

Audio: Listen to report from Radio Iowa’s Pat Curtis (runs :58)

The Iowa Department of Public Health had planned to offer the free nicotine replacement therapy only during the month of June. But, Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Division Director Meghan O’Brien says the response was so strong that the free patches and gum will be made available for at least the next year — through June 2014.

O’Brien credits an increase in the budget for the Quitline Iowa service. The Quitline budget approved by lawmakers and the governor amounts to roughly $1.2 million. “That includes the cost of working with our vendor on Quitline coaching and web-based coaching, as well as the actual cost of the nicotine replacement therapy and shipping it to tobacco users who want to quit,” O’Brien says.

The free patches and gum offer had previously been part of the Quitline Iowa service from 2008 to 2010. The offer was discontinued in July 2010 as part of a budget cutting move. “It was very important to me when I came into this position last year to try and secure funding to offer this again because it is such an important tool,” O’Brien says. “We are thrilled to be able to offer it through this next fiscal year.”

Iowans can request a four-week supply of the nicotine patches or gum by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or by visiting www.quitlineiowa.org.

O’Brien notes that this month marks the five-year anniversary of Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act. The legislation banned smoking in almost all public places. O’Brien recalls there were some protests back in July 2008, but now it seems Iowans can hardly remember what it was like when smoking in bars and restaurants was legal.

“I think about the younger generation that will never know any different. When we tell them there used to be ashtrays in bars, they’ll look at us with disbelief like when we talk about how cell phones used to be the size of computers,” O’Brien says. “I think it’s just a remarkable transformation in attitudes and culture and it’s amazing how much that has changed in five years.”

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, News, Politics / Govt, Top Story

Featured Stories

Exhibit features lesser known works of Grant Wood

Testing finds 21 new CWD cases in deer

It may become a crime in Iowa to use fake urine in workplace drug tests

February trending 18 degrees below average temperature

Iowa House Education Committee votes to end tenure at UI, ISU, UNI

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Drake falls to No. 20 Loyola in MVC Championship

Confusion at MVC Tournament as UNI exits prior to quarterfinal round game

Iowa State looks to avoid winless Big-12 season

New look and new format at girls’ state basketball

Youngstown State takes action against assistant football coach

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC