FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: May 6, 2005
CONTACT: Robert Marshall, PhD 222-2231

Rhode Islanders Quit Smoking in Record Numbers!

Health Department Cites Overwhelming Response to the Smokefree Law

UnitedHealthcare and CVS Help Meet the Challenge

Rhode Island's new smokefree workplace law went into effect on March 1, 2005 and produced a huge demand for smoking treatment services. The state-funded program offers free telephone counseling, face-to-face counseling with nicotine gum and patches, quit smoking materials, and other Internet-based resources. Previously, about 200 RI smokers sought out quit smoking services each month through the state's 1-800-Try-To-Stop program. However, in the month of February, the quit line received over 1,500 calls. Faced with the overwhelming demand for face-to-face counseling with patch or gum, the Department of Health (HEALTH) anticipated running out of funds before the end of the state fiscal year.

"We knew demand would increase," said David Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of Health, "but this response exceeded the built-in capacity of the treatment system to expand. Instead of persuading smokers to quit, we faced outstripping our ability to meet the need for even short-term treatment services. Fortunately, our community partners, UnitedHealthcare and CVS stepped forward to fill in the gap. Thanks to their generosity, we can complete services for 500 people already in treatment and begin to serve some of the 400 smokers already on the waiting list. "

Nearly $100,000 in either financial support or in-kind resources, such as nicotine patches and gum, are being provided to the state program through CVS/pharmacy, the nation's largest retail pharmacy, along with UnitedHealthcare, the new health insurance carrier for State of RI employees, in partnership with Life Era, UnitedHealth Group's employee assistance plan.

Neighborhood Health Plan of RI, a long-time community supporter of the program, already covers the cost of nicotine replacement therapy for its enrollees. Other free HEALTH services include five sessions of telephone counseling and an interactive website ( www.trytostop.org ). The website includes expert advice, an interactive bulletin board and chat room.

Smokers wishing to use any of these services should call 1-800-Try-To-Stop (1-800-879-8678).

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