Smoking Cessation Support

The Austin Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition – coordinated by the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Program of the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department - wants to inform residents that effective April 1, 2009, the Federal cigarette tax will increase by 62 cents.

Most smokers want to quit; and the tax increase may be the impetus for many to quit successfully.  Every smoker deserves the emotional, practical and medical support required for that effort.

Austin and Travis County residents who want to stop smoking can get immediate help by calling the Texas Quitline at 1-800-YES-QUIT; where they can get free advice and counseling on how to stop smoking.  The Quitline is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Friday, and 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Saturday and Sunday. Through the Quitline Austin residents also are eligible for free nicotine replacement therapy.

If you would like more information and resources about quitting smoking please contact Megan Cermak, Program Coordinator for the Austin Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition, at 972-6763 or megan.cermak@ci.austin.tx.us.