Quitline/Media Messages

US CDC asked the state to develop innovative ways to engage the public to quit smoking. The funds will be used to pay for additional staff for the HelpLine and to develop a new referral system.     

The Partnership For A Tobacco Free Maine (PTM), in the Maine CDC, Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the administration and oversight of the statewide Tobacco Treatment Initiative, currently operated by MaineHealth, Center for Tobacco Independence.  The focus is to increase the existing capacity of the current statewide Tobacco Treatment Initiative.  The following are the strategies identified to increase capacity of the Maine Tobacco Helpline staff to meet growing and anticipated demand by

o          Increasing the number of HelpLine Specialists

o          Developing an electronic referral system and expanding promotion of electronic or faxed referrals;

o          Increasing targeted media promotion and emotional messaging to motivate tobacco users to quit

o          Expanding surveillance and evaluation to improve services and increase effectiveness.