Quit by phone --The Vermont Quit network links smokers with a quit coach who will call at a time that works for them. The coach will help them get ready to quit, give quitting tips, advice and support to help smokers stay quit. The network can also link smokers to a local coach, on-line support, or mail out self help tools.

Quit online -- The Vermont Quit Network has many online options, including self-help tools and online support. The self-help tools can be found at VTQuitNetwork.org. Or, you can link to the QuitNet online support service, which offers advice, tips, reminder e-mails and access to online chat groups, where you can talk with other smokers who know what you're going through.

Quit in person -- Group or one-on-one coaches are located in each hospital in the state. Like the phone coaches, they will help you get ready to quit with advice and support that works for your needs. To find your local coach, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or go to the In Person section of VTQuitNetwork.org.

The Vermont Quit Network also offer free nicotine replacement therapy – patches, gum or lozenges – to all Vermonters. Delivered to their home for free!


Tobacco Freedom Fighter in the Spotlight
Quit Smoking Success Story

Jane Crafts -- Waitsfield, VT
(quit smoking after breast cancer diagnosis and husband quit chew tobacco)

Jane Crafts, 69 years old of Waitsfield, came to see Lisa Willette, a tobacco treatment specialist at CVMC, due to encouragement from a doctor after carcinoma was detected in one of her breasts. She is now cancer and smoke-free and is a true champion of the benefits of Vermont’s Tobacco Control Program. Here is her story.

Jane had an abnormal mammogram this past summer and was diagnosed with DCIF, ductile carcinoma in her right breast. As a result, she had a partial mastectomy and is fine now. But during her diagnosis, a surgeon at CVMC, Dr. Zeden, asked Jane to see a radiation oncologist at FAHC. The doctor, Dr. Rubin, told Jane, “What you have in your right breast is insignificant next to your smoking.” This was a real wake-up call to Jane and the impetus for her to seek quit counseling. (Jane had smoked since she was 15 years old. She says, “Our parents used to give us cigarettes back then.” She had tried a few times to cut back with little success.)

Jane looked up the smoking cessation program at CVMC and called Lisa Wilette. Jane and her husband, a spit tobacco user, then met with Lisa. They were given information to read, set a quit date, and was shipped NRT (nicotine replacement therapy). Jane says, “I was shocked. I received Nicoderm patches and Commit lozenges worth $85.”

Jane began wearing the 21mg patch, set Thanksgiving as her quit date and hasn’t smoked since. She still uses the patch but at a lower dose of 14mg.

Jane is enthusiastic about quitting and credits the help she received through CVMC and the tobacco control program. “I had felt lousy, had no energy and didn’t feel well all the time. I’m a different person now!” she said. Jane says her husband is quite proud and tells everyone how Jane quit smoking.

The personal attention Jane received made all the difference. Jane’s direct shipment of NRT didn’t work the first time due to PO and street address differences, but Gigi Magee of CVMC called The Drug Store in Waitsfield and the owner generously let Jane pick up the patches from them and Gigi mailed him a print buck to submit for reimbursement. “It does take a village sometimes to make this happen,” said Gigi.

Jane’s husband is also tobacco free now as he gave up his spit tobacco. Both are very happy with their success and the help from CVMC.

Gigi was thrilled to receive a holiday card from the Crafts which read: “This is a special Christmas for me. With your help and encouragement I think I’ve achieved something I thought impossible. The patches have been so helpful. You ladies are doing a wonderful service and I’ve spread the word to all that would listen. The “Kiss Me-I don’t Smoke” sticker is great. I want a T-shirt with that on it. Is there such a thing” Thanks a million.”