On July 1, the State of Oklahoma increased prices on cigarettes and little cigars. As a result, reports The Norman Transcript,registrations on the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline have now doubled.
According to the most recent numbers, the helpline saw an 85 percent increase in registrations in the first four weeks of July compared to data from the same period last year.
Almost one in five Oklahomans still smoke — slightly higher than the national average — though the rate of smokers in the Sooner State has decreased significantly over the past decade: adult smoking in Oklahoma has declined by 24 percent since 2008.
The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline offers free assistance to Oklahomans who want to quit tobacco, including text and email support, phone and web coaching and at least a free two-week supply of patches, gum or lozenges for registered participants.
The hotline is an initiative started by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, or TSET, that offers free services to help Oklahomans quit tobacco.
