Alaska points residents to free Quit Line before Nov. 19 Great American Smokeout

The Alaska Department of Health is pointing residents to its free Tobacco Quit Line ahead of the American Cancer Society's 50th Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 19. On that day, people across the country are asked to quit tobacco for one day, which the department said in a Nov. 10 bulletin could be "your day one of quitting for good."

About 24% of Alaska adults use some form of tobacco or nicotine, the department reports. The confidential Quit Line runs statewide around the clock. It offers quit coaching, customized quit plans and free nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, lozenges and gum. It helps people quit smoking, vaping, chewing, pouches and iqmik. The state expanded the Quit Line's free support to iqmik and nicotine pouches in May.

Anchorage resident Derrick used the Quit Line to quit vaping after an earlier attempt did not stick. The second time, he chose free nicotine patches. The department said the patches had a longer-lasting effect that helped him through cravings as they eased his body off nicotine.

"They didn't turn me away," Derrick said in a Quit Line video. "The second time after I relapsed, I came back. They took me back in with open arms and we made it happen this time."

The department says slip-ups are normal and quitting can take a few tries. Within 20 minutes of a last cigarette, heart rate returns to normal and blood pressure drops, it says. Over time, quitting lowers the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and lung disease.

Alaskans can enroll by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), texting READY to 21586 or visiting AlaskaQuitLine.com.