Wisconsin Statewide Smoke-Free Law May Prompt Smokers to Quit

PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- July 5th is a great day to quit smoking for good.  There are more than 806,000 smokers in the state of Wisconsin and every year almost 7,200 of them die from a tobacco-related illness.(1) As of July 5, folks now have an added incentive to quit with the Wisconsin smoke free law that took effect in all restaurants, bars and workplaces.(2)

Research shows that policy changes, like the new statewide smoke-free law, may prompt smokers to take an interest in quitting;(3) however, many people find that it is difficult to put down their cigarettes and walk away forever.  Quitting "cold turkey" is the most common method people try – it is also the least successful.(4)  In fact, approximately 95 percent of all cold turkey quit attempts fail.(4)

"While it is great that legislation such as smoke-free laws get people thinking about quitting, many may not be sure how to take the next step in getting help," said Maureen Busalacchi, Executive Director of Smoke Free Wisconsin. "Fortunately, there are several resources available that quitters can utilize, such as counseling, coaching and medications, which can significantly improve their chances of quitting successfully versus attempting to quit cold turkey."

Wisconsin smokers interested in quitting can find information at www.smokefree.gov and www.Way2Quit.com, where they can enroll in a free, personalized quit plan.

There are seven FDA-approved medications to help people quit smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products have helped millions of people around the world quit smoking(5) and, as a result, have significantly reduced their exposure to the risks of cancer and other smoking-related diseases.(6),(7)  

Additional Smoking Cessation Resources

Way2Quit.com is an educational Web site that enables smokers to develop an initial quit-smoking plan by completing various assessment tools online. The site includes helpful tips, quitting resources and virtual coaches, and access to Committed Quitters. Committed Quitters is a free, tailored Web-based behavioral support program that has been proven to increase a smoker's chances of quitting. Participants receive a customized smoking cessation plan after completing an online questionnaire that gathers information about their habits, behaviors and motivations for smoking and quitting.

About GlaxoSmithKline® Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies.  Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette®, NicoDerm®CQ®, and Commit®, as well as many products such as alli®, Aquafresh®, Sensodyne®, and TUMS® -- which are trademarks owned by and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.

About GlaxoSmithKline®

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: GSK.com.

(1) Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.  The Toll of Tobacco in Wisconsin. http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/toll.php?StateID=WI

(2) Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.  Indoor Smoking Ban in Wisconsin. May 2009.

(3) Fichtenberg, C., Glantz, S. Effect of smoke-free workplaces on smoking behaviour: systematic review. 2002.

(4) Hughes JR, Keely J, Naud S. Shape of the relapse curve and long-term abstinence among untreated smokers. 2004 Addiction, 99, 29-38.

(5) GSK data on file.

(6) Shiffman S. Engberg J. Paty JA, Perz W, Gnys M, Kassel JD, et al. A day at a time: predicting smoking lapse from daily urge. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 1997;106:104-116.

(7) Fiore MC, Jaen CR, Baker TB, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. May 2008.

SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare