WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/26/07) - Wisconsin state health officials are encouraging smokers to make a fresh start by calling the Quit Line to help kick the smoking habit. Wisconsin is observing Lung Cancer Awareness Month during November. Figures show that nearly 3 thousand people die from lung cancer in Wisconsin each year. The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT NOW) has helped nearly 50,000 Wisconsin residents since its inception in 2001. So far, 5,500 have called the Quit Line in 2007. The Quit Line offers free quitting assistance and resources.

"Smoking is the single most preventable cause of illness and death. Yet each year 2,700 people in Wisconsin die from lung cancer," said Dr. Sheri Johnson, State Health Officer.

"Reports show that most smokers want to quit, and the Quit Line is a wonderful tool to help them achieve their goal," Dr. Johnson says.

The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT NOW) has helped nearly 50,000 Wisconsin residents since its inception in 2001, and so far 5,500 have called the Quit Line in 2007.

The Quit Line offers free quitting assistance and resources, including:

One-on-one practical telephone counseling. Quit Line tobacco addiction treatment specialists provide specific strategies on quitting for good.

Free Information. For friends, family and tobacco users, the Quit Line provides information on tobacco use, dependence and addiction treatment.

Friends and family members can get information on how to help someone they know quit using tobacco.

Referrals to local tobacco addiction treatment programs and services.

Quit Line tobacco addiction treatment specialists have a statewide list of resources so they can refer callers to established programs within their own area.

According to 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 58.4% of Wisconsin smokers have stopped smoking for one day or longer because they were trying to quit.

With the new $1 per pack cigarette tax going into effect at the start of the year, more than 33,000 smokers are expected to make a healthy change in their life.