Cessation

Research

Women who quit smoking during pregnancy less likely to remain nonsmokers because of concerns about weight, study says
A study has shown that women who are not motivated to remain smoke-free after their pregnancy are more concerned about their weight than women who are motivated to remain smoke free. Women who feel more confident in their ability to maintain optimal weight without smoking are more likely to plan on quitting for good. For more information about the study, released in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, click here.

Drug may help women stop smoking
The addition of the opiate blocker Naltrexone, combined with behavioral therapy and nicotine patches, boosted smoking cessation rates for women by almost 50 percent. Addition of the drug had no effect on men. The study, released in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research, revealed the ability of Naltrexone to reduce cigarette craving, discomfort of withdrawal, and weight gain after quitting. For more information, click here.

Weight concerns affect motivation to remain abstinent from smoking postpartum
The Annals of Behavioral Medicine published an article in the October 2006 issue that assesses motivation for postpartum abstinence among pregnant women who had quit smoking. View the abstract by clicking here.

Safety of "Alternative" Tobacco Products, Effort To Study Lead By Georgetown
Georgetown University Medical Center has been awarded a five-year, $17 million grant by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to determine if alternative tobacco products reduce health. The study will examine all aspects of "safer" tobacco or nicotine delivery systems referred to as "potential reduction exposure products" or PREPs, from design and chemistry to toxic exposure. The health community is divided over the use of alternative tobacco products; some experts feel any reduction in risk is beneficial, while others feel that no tobacco should be the only position of the public health community. For more information on this study, click here.

Menthol cigarettes, smoking cessation, atherosclerosis, and pulmonary function
An article in the September 2006 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine shows menthols users may be less likely to attempt or succeed at quitting. This is particularly important for African Americans, who have a high rate of menthol cigarette use. To view the abstract click here.

Interest in an online smoking cessation program and effective recruitment strategies: Results from Project Quit
An article published in the 2006 volume 8 issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research investigates whether smokers are interested in an online cessation support program and examines the effectiveness of different recruitment strategies. Click here to view the article.

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Results of the TCLN Survey of Statewide Implementation of Tobacco Cessation Services
Access results of the October 2006 Tobacco Cessation Leadership Network (TCLN) Survey of Statewide Implementation of Tobacco Cessation Services by clicking here. To go directly to the TCLN’s website, click here.

NAQC Connections
In October, the North American Quitline Consortium debuted a weekly e-blast to keep members and partners connected to timely information and upcoming events in the quitline community. For archived copies of the e-blasts, click here.

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Tennessee:

Tobacco users can call Quitline
Health officials in Tennessee recently launched the Tennessee Tobacco Quitline. This telephone hotline is geared toward helping people quit using tobacco products by connecting them with a trained “quit coach” and providing them with free cessation materials. Tennessee is one of the last states to adopt such a resource. To learn more about the program, click here

Ohio:
 
Low-price nicotine patches offered to Ohio's uninsured
Uninsured Ohioans now can buy four weeks' worth of nicotine patches for $25 if they also enroll in the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line's telephone counseling program for smoking cessation. About 1.2 million are eligible. Ohio residents are eligible if they are at least 18 and have no health insurance, including Medicaid or Medicare. They must enroll by calling the (800) QUIT-NOW line and making phone counseling appointments. Click here to access the news release and here to go to the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line.

Oklahoma:

Firm to pay smoking employees to quit
The food-distribution firm Oklahoma Sysco, Inc announced it will go tobacco-free on November 17th. As an incentive to quit, the company announced that employees will receive a $25 bonus for every year they have been with the company if they sign up for a stop-smoking program and remain abstinent for six months. Click here to read more.

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New public health program shows smokers how to become an EX(SM)
A new multi-channel media campaign created by the American Legacy Foundation and implemented in partnership with Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Western New York Tobacco-Free Programs was launched in Roswell Park. The program is called EX(SM) and focuses on teaching smokers a step-by-step cessation plan. The campaign will be launched in Western New York broadcast media through March of 2007. Click here for the press release.

Great Start provides information, support for pregnant smokers
The American Legacy Foundation and the Ad Council launched a new education campaign designed to give pregnant women the information and tools necessary to quit smoking. The program, Great Start, was originally launched in 2001, but was recently re-distributed to radio stations in 25 states and the District of Columbia. The public service announcement’s message stresses the importance of quitting smoking for the health of the unborn child. Click here to read the press release.

Helping Smokers Quit: A Role for Smokeless Tobacco?
A recent publication “Helping Smokers Quit: A Role for Smokeless Tobacco?” describes traditional and modern smokeless tobacco products and provides a rationale for their use. The American Council on Science and Health feels that the public has been misled about the benefits and risks of substituting cigarettes with smokeless tobacco products, when attempting to quit smoking. To read the news article, click here. For the report, click here.

Code Blue for Lung Cancer program launched
The American Legacy Foundation and the National Association of Broadcasters have launched a new public service campaign titled Code Blue for Lung Cancer. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of lung cancer prevention and increase survival rates of those struggling with lung cancer. The campaign is offered in both English and Spanish and includes a documentary, radio and television announcements, a guidebook for local broadcasters, as well as an online component. The online component can be found here.

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Pfizer's anti-smoking pill Champix approved in Europe
The European Commission recently approved the anti-smoking pill Champix. Developed by Pfizer Inc., Champix works by alleviating withdrawal symptoms of nicotine and reducing the severity of cravings. Additionally, Champix reduces the reinforcing properties of smoking. The medication has already been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in May under the trade-name Chantix. To read more, click here.

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