NMDOH News:
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) encourages tobacco users statewide to use its free Quitline services as they join thousands nationwide for the annual Great American Smokeout® today.
Created by the American Cancer Society, the annual Great American Smokeout® happens every year on the third Thursday of November. NMDOH provides the 1.800.QUIT.NOW program that offers free help to quit any type of tobacco product, including vaping products.
In 2018, about 15.2 percent of adult New Mexicans were cigarette smokers, which is down from 17.5 percent in 2017, and an all-time low for the state.
“A successful quit attempt starts with the decision to try, but nicotine is highly addictive – and it’s never easy to try to quit rapidly and without help.” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel. “These tools and support offered by our program help New Mexicans take back control of their health.”
New Mexicans can call 1.800.QUIT.NOW (1.800.784.8669) for English, or 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1.855.335.3569) for Spanish, to receive free coaching, nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges for registered participants.
There are also free web-based services at Quit Smoking Now and Dejelo Ya that offer additional online support. The cessation services offer 24-hour text message support. There is even TTY available for the deaf and hearing impaired at 1.877.777.6534.
The New Mexico Department of Health continues to work towards decreasing rates of smoking, vaping and other tobacco use.
