Without Right Help Many Who Make New Year's Resolution to Quit Tobacco will Fail

PHOENIX, Dec. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Project Quit, a part of the Arizona Smokers' Helpline, an online community of Arizonans trying to quit tobacco use, is preparing for an active 2014. The Project will kick-off the year with a presence in public places around the Valley to help and encourage the many Arizonans who will make quitting the use of tobacco their New Year's resolution.

Quitting smoking always ranks among the top five New Year's resolutions. It is also among the first to be broken, often times within the first few weeks of the year.  The addictive nature of nicotine makes quitting an extremely difficult task. In anticipation of the 'season for quitting', Project Quit introduces a concierge-like service at local malls in January, which will help tobacco users to be referred directly to the Arizona Smokers' Helpline to enroll in quit tobacco services. Project Quit representatives will also offer useful tips and tools including a 'Quit Journey Kit', instructions on how-to download the free Call It Quits App and details about personalized support on www.projectquitaz.com, available now.  

"The hundreds of people who choose January 1 as their first tobacco-free day will need lots of support on that day and beyond," says Stephen Michael, Director of the Arizona Smokers' Helpline. "Generally speaking, smokers will make between seven and eleven attempts before they are successful at quitting."

Equally important to counseling and support is the inspiration that comes from hearing the stories of real smokers. The stories of the four Arizonans featured in a local public service campaign can be seen now on www.projectquitaz.com and Project Quit seeks additional stories for this effort. People interested in help or in sharing their stories, whether they are former smokers, current smokers or want to show support for people who are trying to quit, can stop by the Project Quit experience on the following days and locations:

• Sat., Jan. 11, 2014, Christown Spectrum Mall, 1703 W. Bethany Home Road, Phx., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Sat., Jan. 18, 2014, Mesa Grand, 1955 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Sat., Jan. 25, 2014, Westgate Entertainment District, 6770 N Sunset Blvd, Glendale, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Overcoming tobacco use has many benefits; the obvious is better health and prolonged life. From the economic standpoint, an American Lung Association report revealed that while the retail price of a pack of cigarettes in Arizona is on average $6.38, the combined medical costs and work productivity losses attributable to each pack of cigarettes sold is approximately $26.57 per pack.

When connected to counselors from the Arizona Smokers' Helpline people receive ongoing support to overcome the challenges of quitting as well as two weeks free of gum, patches and lozenges. People who are ready now can call the ASHLine at 1-800-55-66-222 to set up an appointment to talk with a Quit Coach. Anyone can join Project Quit by visiting the website www.projectquitaz.com 

SOURCE Arizona Smokers' Helpline