Calls to quit smoking up since tax hike

A dramatic increase in the number of calls to a smoking cessation hotline since a nearly $86 million increase in state tobacco taxes went into effect has the state Health Department close to running out of money to run the operation.

The department needs about $1 million pay the California company contracted to run the hotline through the rest of the fiscal year, officials told the Joint Budget Committee on Wednesday.

“We’re really running on edge with our contract,” Deputy Health Director Mary Leath told the committee.

The committee agreed to endorse the transfer of $1 million from the Tobacco Master Settlement to fund the hotline through June 30.

Leath said the hotline had been averaging about 1,000 calls a month, but received about 1,000 calls during the first week in February. About the same number called the second week and by the third week the number had dropped to 900, she said.

The volume of calls rose to 1,600 the last week of the month, and during the first week of March 2, 600 people called, she said.

Act 180 of 2009 raised state cigarette tax by 56 cents a pack and also increased the tax on smokeless tobacco to fund a statewide trauma system and a variety of health-related programs across the state. A federal tax hike will add another 62 cents a pack to the price of cigarettes, beginning April 1.

The Health Department currently has about $27,000 left to pay on its cessation hotline contract with Free and Clear of San Jose, Calif., through June 30.

“The calls coming are eating that cost up,” Leath said.

Sen. Percy Malone, D-Arkadelphia, questioned the hotline’s effectiveness, noting that smoking is an addiction and much more is needed than just a consultation and five follow up visits.

Leath said plans were being developed to add more programs to help tobacco smokers, and they were expected to be presented next session.

The cessation hotlines are considered successful by the U.S Center for Disease Control. Since Arkansas’ hotline began in 2001 about 84,000 people have participated and stopped smoking, Leath said.

She said about 22.4 percent of Arkansans over 18 smoke, down from 26.3 percent in 2001.

Act 180 of 2009 raised the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 56 cents and increased the tax on smokeless tobacco products beginning March 1.

The tax revenue is to be used to fund a statewide trauma system and a variety of health-related programs across the state.