The California Smokers' Helpline Is Here For You

The California Smokers’ Helpline is a FREE telephone program that can help you quit smoking.  More than 100,000 people have called and received help.  When you call, a friendly staff person will offer a choice of services; self-help materials, a referral list of other programs, and one-on-one counseling over the phone.

Whether smokers are ready to quit, or just thinking about it, the California Smokers' Helpline is ready to help, call 1-800-NO-BUTTS.

How can the California Smokers’ Helpline help you to quit?

• Self-help materials are provided if you would like to quit smoking on your own.

• A referral list of other programs in your area, if you would like to attend a group or a class is available.

• Confidential, one-on-one telephone counseling, if you are ready to quit smoking and want some help are also available.

Does the telephone counseling really work?

• Yes.  People who receive counseling are twice as likely to stay quit as those who try to quit on their own.  These results are from a research study of over 3,000 smokers.

Will some insurance plans pay for the nicotine patch?

• Many plans, including Medi-Cal, will pay for the patch for those enrolled in a quit smoking program, such as the California Smokers’ Helpline.  Check with your insurance company to find out whether you are covered for Zyban or a nicotine replacement product such as the gum, inhaler, patch, or spray.

What happens when you refer a teen to the Helpline?

• Teen dials 1-800-NO-BUTTS.

• He or she talks to a Helpline staff person who explains service options (takes about seven minutes).

• Caller receives self-help materials and a referral list to other programs.  The teen may also receive counseling by appointment.

What about confidentiality?

• Cessation materials are mailed in an envelope with the university (UCSD) return address.  If a smoker chooses telephone counseling, the discussions are private, except when disclosure is required by the law.

Should teens be required to call?

• The program works best when calls are made voluntarily.

Everyone benefits by quitting smoking because it provides...

• a healthier start in life for the baby.
  Baby gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
  Less risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, or a stay in the intensive care unit.
  Baby's lungs develop better.

• a healthier life for the mother.
  A safer pregnancy.
  Reduced risk of cancer, emphysema, and other smoking related health problems.

• a healthier childhood for the baby.
  Fewer colds, allergies, asthma, and bronchitis.
  Fewer trips to the doctor.
  Fewer childhood behavior and attention problems.
  Better progress during the early years of school.

When a mother smokes while pregnant...

• harmful chemicals in cigarettes keep the baby from getting the food and oxygen needed to grow and develop.

• she is more likely to have bleeding and other problems that my threaten the baby.

• the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth is higher.

• the baby could be born too small, which could cause health problem throughout life.

• the risk of childhood behavior problems is greater.

• the danger to the baby increases with every cigarette smoked.

The Helpline Is Here For You.

Call the California Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-NO-BUTTS.  Free help is just a phone call away.

Service hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  If you call after hours or if the lines are busy, you will reach the Helpline’s 24-hour voice mail service. 

The Helpline has services in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, and TDD/TTY.  These services are also available for those wanting to quit chewing tobacco.  For help quitting chew, call the California Chewers’ Helpline at 1-800-844-CHEW.

Anyone in California can call the Helpline, whether they are currently smoking, have already quit, or want information for a friend or relative.  Counseling is available for those 14 and up (with parent/guardian permission for those under 18).

Counselors at the Helpline are caring professionals, trained in the field of smoking cessation.  They are trained in relevant teen developmental issues, and work under the supervision of a California licensed psychologist.  All counselors have passed state childcare worker requirements.

Quitting is easier with help.

English
1-800-NO-BUTTS (1-800-662-8887)

Spanish
1-800-45-NO-FUME (1-800-456-6386)

Mandarin and Cantonese
1-800-400-0866

Vietnamese
1-800-778-8440

Korean
1-800-556-5564
TDD/TTY- 1-800-933-4TDD (1-800-933-4833)

Chewing Tobacco
1-800-844-CHEW (1-800-844-2439)