A smoking cessation helpline for Louisiana smokers--and a new resource for medical professionals.

The Louisiana Office of Public Health Tobacco Control and Prevention Program received funding from the Louisiana State Legislature to expand smoking cessation activities in the state. The Tobacco Control Program conducted a review of other states' current smoking cessation programs, cessation programs in Louisiana, and epidemiological evidence in planning the expansion of the Louisiana tobacco smoking cessation program. As a result, a smoking cessation helpline has been developed. Medical clinicians in Louisiana have a powerful impact on their patients' smoking cessation success. Simple discussion by physicians with their patients about how to quit smoking has improved successful quitting rates by 40%. Approximately 70% of smokers visit a physician each year and 60% visit a dentist, so there is clearly an opportunity to reach many persons at risk. The telephone smoking cessation helpline at 1-800-LUNG-USA is a tool for clinicians to use when advising their patients on ways to improve their health and prevent disease.