TSET Offers Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Oklahomans Looking to Live Tobacco Free

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — It’s been more than seven years since Chase and Candace Hammontree touched a cigarette.

They are two of the hundreds of Oklahomans who have quit smoking by taking advantage of the TSET free nicotine replacement programs.

Now, for a limited time, Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust is offering eight weeks of free nicotine replacement again for Oklahomans looking to live tobacco free.

The Hammontree’s advice for those looking to quit? First, find your reason.

“My personal reason was our daughter,” Candace said.

“We wanted to set a good example for the kids, as well as be healthy enough to live to watch them grow up,” Chase said. “It’s just kind of as simple as that, really.”

But putting the cigarette down wasn’t that simple.

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Chase said.

The couple tried to quit dozens of times.

“They smell terrible. It tastes terrible. But, your need for one, it’s addictive,” Chase said. “Get off work and have a cigarette, on break have a cigarette, just woke up. There are so many simple little things that I just attached to this.”

In April 2016, they made their final effort to quit and haven’t looked back.

They credit TSET’s free nicotine replacement program.

“You could call them anytime and they were available,” Candace said. “If you have a moment of weakness or you just really you know, had that struggle you needed somebody to talk to you they also sent you have these random texts that were just so incredibly supportive and, you know, you didn’t know you needed them.”

According to the CDC, about 19% of adult Oklahomans smoke, which is an all-time low; however, Oklahoma is still above the national average of 15.5%.

Nonetheless, The Oklahoma Department of Health says its proof-focused efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use are paying off.

Last year, was the was the first time TSET offered eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy, and they saw tobacco helpline registrations increase by 30%.

“Eight weeks of nicotine patches and lozenges and access, for these eight weeks of NRT to get them started on their journey to quit tobacco,” Thomas Larson, Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, said.

The standard program is only two weeks, but TSET is offering the free eight week nicotine replacement program to Oklahomans through the end of June.