The implementation of a statewide smoking ban is apparently motivating more people to kick the habit.
It’s been two weeks since the ban on smoking in workplaces went into effect. Since it started, Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line manager Kate Kobinsky says there has been an increase in calls coming from people who want to give up smoking.
In the first week alone, calls to the Quit Line were up 20-percent since before the ban. Kobinsky says that was even without the benefit of advertising the service, which provides advice and medications to help people stop smoking.
Still, Kobinsky says many smokers may not have a strong enough motivation yet to think about quitting since many just need to step outside of their favorite bar or restaurant. Once the summer months end though, she says many of them could seriously start to reconsider the habit.
The Tobacco Quit Line is available to Wisconsin residents who call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
