Michigan quit-smoking hot line quits until October

[March 17, 2009]  LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan's Tobacco Quit Line has quit.

The hot line began last week to offer callers free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges to help them quit smoking or chewing tobacco. By Monday, the heavy volume of calls had overwhelmed the hot line.

State officials say the hot line will shut down until October because the department has run out of the free products. The new budget year starts Oct. 1.

The quit line was contacted by more than 65,600 callers in five days, and more than 400 staff members were fielding calls.

Nearly 2,200 people have enrolled in the quit tobacco program so far.

[Associated Press]

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