Join thousands of Alaskans who’ve quit using tobacco with free Fresh Start programs
APRIL 18, 2023 — Brenda of Nikiski decided to make changes after a few health scares. She was prediabetic. Her blood pressure was high. She decided to quit smoking, start paying attention to what she ate, and be more active.
“I made a lot of changes. Quitting smoking was one of them,” she said. “And I tell you what – I don’t miss it anymore.”
Brenda used free quit coaching and nicotine lozenges offered through her local tribal health organization to help her quit tobacco for good.
“I smoked for a really long time,” she said. “I’m glad I finally got rid of it.”
Brenda’s changes paid off. After quitting smoking, her blood pressure lowered to the point she didn’t need to take medication anymore.
Most Alaska adults who smoke say they want to quit. After smoking for almost 20 years, Brenda quit at age 39. Quitting tobacco has health benefits at any age, no matter how long or how much tobacco you’ve used. Within minutes of quitting, your body begins making healthy changes that continue for years.
- Within 24 hours, nicotine levels in the blood drop to zero.
- Within months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- Within 1-2 years, chances of having a heart attack drop sharply.
- Within 10 years, chances of developing lung cancer drop by half.
Making healthy changes can be free—and you can start today.
Alaska’s new Fresh Start campaign offers free programs to help adults stop smoking, chewing tobacco and Iqmik, and vaping; lose weight; sleep better; move more; lower their blood sugar; and lower their blood pressure. Many programs are available online or by phone – wherever you are in Alaska.
The Fresh Start campaign helps Alaskans stop smoking, chewing tobacco, or vaping by connecting them to Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line. The Quit Line combines free quit coaching and providing nicotine patches, lozenges and gum. Using these resources can significantly increase people's chances of quitting.
Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line offers free, proven strategies to help you quit:
- Nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum
- Quit coaching sessions over the phone or online
- Unlimited calls to the Quit Line for support
- Online program to track quit progress and connect with other people who are also quitting tobacco
- Supportive emails and text messages
- Self-paced quit guide workbook
Talking with a quit coach can help.
Dusty of Wasilla quit chewing tobacco when he saw a message from Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line on the television. He turned down the TV volume and immediately called the Quit Line.
Dusty of Wasilla used Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line to stop using chewing tobacco.
“It really helped speaking on the phone with quit coaches,” he said. “If you’re going to quit, there isn’t a better time than right here, right now.”
Support from a coach can help you quit tobacco. Coaches can help keep you accountable; set a quit date; and share strategies to deal with urges to use tobacco, stress and anxiety, and other challenges you may face while quitting. They can help you build a personalized quit plan and choose which quit strategies may be right for you. Coaching with Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line is confidential.
“We find that people have more success if they include coaching and nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum to help them quit,” said Kim, a quit coach supervisor with Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line.
Kim, a quit coach supervisor with Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line, helps Alaskans create personalized plans to quit smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco.
Kim enjoys being a quit coach supervisor with Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line because she can help Alaskans overcome urges to use tobacco and successfully quit.
“We’ve had years of experience and also talked to thousands of people in your same boat,” she said. “It’s really helpful to have that support from a coach.”
There are different ways to enroll in Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line.
-
Call Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
-
Text READY to 34191
-
Click to sign up online at https://alaskaquitline.com/
Alaska Native people can use additional, free statewide support to quit tobacco.
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Tobacco Prevention and Control program offers free statewide tobacco cessation resources to eligible Alaska Native people. Quit coaching, nicotine replacement therapies, and medication to help quit can be provided for up to one year. There is no limit to how many times you can access services during that year. You can also learn more about local cessation treatment programs in your area.
Call 907-729-4343 to learn more and get enrolled in these free services for Alaska Native people.
Ready for change? Visit freshstart.alaska.gov to find free programs for better health.
Thousands of Alaskans have joined. Are you ready? Contact doh.freshstart@alaska.gov with questions about the campaign and to request materials.
|
