CHOUTEAU — Though there is abundant research that says smoking will cause heart disease, cancer and other respiratory diseases, it remains one of the leading causes of death across the United States. The reason is that tobacco and cigarettes are addictive and it is incredibly difficult to quit. But Oklahoma has a plan and the tools to help thousands of Oklahomans across the state quit once and for all as well as improve the overall health of our state.

In 1998 the Attorney Generals from 48 states, including Oklahoma, settled a lawsuit with the four major tobacco companies, which established the Tobacco Settlement Fund across the country. In 2000, Oklahomans had the foresight to establish the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Fund (TSET), which is managed by a board of directors and investors who determine how to invest the money and how to best use the earnings from this fund to improve the health of Oklahomans.

These earnings have been used to fund many important programs across the state that encourage cessation as well as an overall healthier Oklahoma. One of these programs is the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1-800-Quit-Now). The helpline was launched in August of 2003 and has been used by more than 4,000 people in Mayes, Rogers and Wagoner counties to stop smoking. The helpline offers free telephone-based cessation “coaching” sessions as well as free nicotine patches or gum.

The funds have also been used to establish programs that limit Oklahoma youth’s access to tobacco and raise awareness of the dangers of smoking through mass media - such as the “Tobacco Stops With Me” campaign. Funds are also used to research the prevention and treatment of cancer and other tobacco-related diseases.

There have been encouraging signs that the TSET fund is making a difference in the lives of Oklahomans. For example last year a study showed that Oklahoma’s adult smoking prevalence rate dropped below 25 percent for the first time since the fund was created. Also the Oklahoma Youth Tobacco Survey, showed that smoking prevalence among high school youth dropped from 23.4 percent to 20.2 percent and among middle school youth it dropped from 7.5 percent to 6.5 percent.

If you or someone you know is attempting to quit smoking I encourage you to contact the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-Quit-Now. This program has been shown to work for many Oklahomans and with the continued risks of smoking and smoking related illnesses it is never to early to quit.