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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - As of March 1, smokers looking to kick the habit have another resource to look to for help: a smokers' quit line recently launched by the NWT.

The 24 hour a day, seven day a week service will put quitting smokers in touch with trained counsellors who will provide them with tips on how to stop smoking.

Smokers looking to quit will have one more resource now that the territorial government has launched a 24-hour a day, seven day a week, NWT smoking quit line. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo

The health department's tobacco health promotions specialist Miriam Wideman said the more support a smoker has when quitting, the more likely their attempt will be successful.

She said it takes the average smoker two to six tries before they are finally able to quit for good.

"One of the features is a personal call-back option based on the quitter's needs," said Wideman.

Those who call the line can expect up to five calls from counsellors, dealing with pre-quitting strategies, day after and relapse training. Wideman explained the first call assesses the potential quitter's needs and asks if they are ready to set a date to quit.

"If they set a quit date, the quit line would call back a day before and tell them some of the issues about quitting," she said.

Subsequent calls will be made to the quitter, she said. A few days after the quit date, for instance, relapse and prevention information is provided to resolve some of the practical problems smokers have when they quit. Wideman said the line will also take panic calls from smokers tempted to relapse. Another feature of the line is services will be provided in all NWT languages. This includes official languages, as well as many frequently used languages, like Filipino or Vietnamese.

While the translator will not be immediately available, callers set up a time where counselling is translated through a three-way call. Wideman said the line will be based in the south.

"None of the quit line will be housed in the NWT," she said, adding no jobs will be created from it in the territory. "We're not big enough."

It won't cost the territorial government any money for now either, she said. "We are running with slack we currently have on the tele-care line. So we are able to do the quit line free of charge."

She said the department has acquired some federal funding to promote the line. The federal government plans to advertise regional quit lines on cigarette boxes as of 2010 and this initiative gives the government a head start, she said.

Government statistics show 41 per cent of NWT residents over the age of 15 currently smoke. On Monday, Wideman said the line had already received calls from smokers curious about quitting.