The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced that 8 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy is available to anyone that calls and enrolls this month.

The program ties in with the fifth year of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Tips from Former Smokers campaign.

The fifth year of ads from the Tips campaign began on January 25, and will run for 20 weeks on television, radio, billboards, online, and in magazines and newspapers. The campaign features real people who are living with the effects of smoking-related diseases.

“All the Tips ad participants are heroes,” said Corinne Graffunder, DrPH, MPH, Director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health. “By courageously sharing their painful personal stories, they’re inspiring millions of Americans to make the life-saving decision to quit smoking.”

Each real story represents thousands of Americans suffering from similar illnesses caused by smoking. Ads also highlight the benefits of quitting for loved ones, and the importance of quitting cigarettes completely, not just cutting down.

“As residents listen to the newest ads from the Tips campaign, we are hoping to help them quit for good by providing 8 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy,” said Nick Lyon, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

In Michigan, 16,200 residents die every year from smoking-related diseases. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. It kills about 480,000 Americans each year. For every person who dies from a smoking-related disease, about 30 more people suffer at least one serious illness from smoking.

Nearly 70 percent of smokers say they want to quit.

To quit smoking and receive free nicotine replacement therapy call the Michigan Tobacco Quitline, 24/7, at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335356-92).

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