In this issue
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Q. & A. with dynamic volunteer MeLissa Olson

Calls to Quitline emphasize demand for smokefree air in Michigan

Release of Cancer Facts and Figures
for African Americans 2009-2010

National Volunteer Week

Successful murder mystery fundraiser

Minority Cancer Awareness Quiz
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VOICES photo and video contest!

Powerful Choices podcast

VOICES in the kitchen

GLO Grads

Calls to Quitline emphasize demand for smokefree air in Michigan
For years, the American Cancer Society has helped people double their chances of quitting smoking through programs and services offering educational resources and support. In 2008, the American Cancer Society announced that for the first time ever, the national smoking rate had dropped to below 20 percent. Staff and volunteers throughout the Great Lakes Division have been actively urging their state lawmakers to follow more than 50 percent of the country in enacting smokefree laws in Indiana and Michigan.

The evidence is now clearer than ever that Michigan wants to go smoke free.  In early March, the Michigan Tobacco Quitline, the free service funded by the State of Michigan (and serviced by ACS) to assist people in their efforts to quit smoking, announced it would offer free nicotine replacement products for a limited time for people who want to quit smoking.

The response was overwhelming. Prior to the announcement, the Michigan Tobacco Quitline had received over 44,000 calls since it was launched in October, 2003. In the first five days following the announcement that free two-month supplies of nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges would be available, the Quitline received more than 65,600 callers, with more than 21,000 calls received the first day.  Previously, the record of daily Quitline callers stood at 4,901 – less than a quarter of the calls received on the first day the free nicotine replacement products were offered. 

Unfortunately, due to state budget constraints in combination with the unprecedented volume of calls received for free nicotine replacement products, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) announced that the Tobacco Quitline has been shut down until further notice and is searching for alternative sources of funding to continue to provide this important service to the community. The Quitline will still be available for Medicaid Michigan residents where ACS has agreements with their health plans, although the free nicotine replacement program will not continue.

“What this says to us is that people really do want to quit smoking, and will take advantage of programs and services to help them kick the habit,” said Deb Sprague, Corporate Relations Director for the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, and the Division’s Quitline liaison. “There is no longer any debate on the harmful effects of smoking, and people no longer want to be helpless against their addictions. The response to the Quitline offering free nicotine replacement therapy only served to provide more evidence that, in addition to the consideration of the increase in cigarette costs, our message of wellness and prevention is getting out there, and people are listening.”

Until the Michigan Quitline is back up and running, people interested in quitting smoking can print Quit Kits from the from the MDCH Tobacco section Web site www.michigan.gov/tobacco.  The American Cancer Society also has valuable smoking cessation information at www.cancer.org, and additional resources can be found at www.becomeanex.org.