SAN DIEGO, Nov. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The California Smokers’ Helpline, California’s only free, statewide telephone counseling service for quitting smoking, has launched a special section on its website with information in Spanish for tobacco users and family members. Tobacco users can also enroll online for free telephone counseling in Spanish. Visit the Spanish website here.
This information is also a valuable resource to health care providers who provide services to patients and clients who speak Spanish. Hispanics generally have lower rates of smoking than other ethnic groups and are more likely to be light or non-daily smokers. However, smoking is not safe at any level so health professionals should routinely ask all their patients if they smoke and refer them to resources for quitting smoking.
“We have helped thousands of Hispanic smokers quit smoking since 1992, and are pleased to offer this additional resource to Spanish-speakers as well as their family members,” says Jesus Calleros, Counseling Supervisor with the California Smokers’ Helpline. “We get many requests for information from family members who are concerned about their loved ones who smoke, as well as from health professionals who want easy access to culturally appropriate materials for their patients and clients who smoke.”
Established in 1992 by researchers at the University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, the California Smokers’ Helpline provides free, personalized and confidential services to more than 40,000 Californians each year from diverse communities throughout the state. Quitting assistance is provided in Spanish (800-45-NO-FUME), English (800-NO-BUTTS), Korean (800-556-5564), Vietnamese (800-778-8440), and Mandarin and Cantonese (800-838-8917). Specialized services are also available for pregnant smokers, tobacco chewers and teens. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Helpline is funded by the California Department of Public Health and First 5 California.
Contact: Kristin Harms
(858) 300-1011
kharms@ucsd.edu
