No Menthol Sunday: How ASHLine’s Enhance Support is Tackling Health Disparities in Arizona

On May 19, we recognized No Menthol Sunday, a national observance aimed at raising awareness of the harms associated with menthol cigarettes and promoting the benefits of quitting. This year’s event coincides with the Arizona Department of Health Services’ renewed commitment to accessible health services through the Arizona Smokers Helpline (ASHLine).

The ASHLine’s expanded eligibility and improved support resources aim to help reduce tobacco use rates, making smoking cessation more achievable for all Arizonans.

ASHLine now offers support to all Arizona residents regardless of health plan or insurance status. Eligible participants aged 18 and above can receive up to eight weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), including combo therapy options (patch and gum or patch and lozenge), or two weeks of NRT now available through the online program.

Menthol cigarettes have historically been marketed to Black communities, leading to a disproportionate impact on their health. According to the CDC, in 2020, about 81% of non-Hispanic Black adults who smoked preferred menthol cigarettes, compared to 34% of non-Hispanic white adults.

In Arizona, the adult smoking rate dropped from 13.1% in 2020 to 12.7% in 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 7,800 more adults in Arizona would quit smoking if menthol cigarettes were no longer available.

ASHLine provides personalized quit coaching available round the clock through a toll-free number and/or an online sign-up option. Friends and family of people seeking to quit can also reach out for guidance on supporting their loved ones. You can also get support from ASHLine’s improved text messaging program, which delivers motivational and educational messages for people quitting tobacco. Features like text-to-order nicotine replacement therapy ensure immediate support is just a message away.

We also connect callers to information about lung cancer screening and emphasize the importance of prevention and early detection. Our goal is to reach people at higher risk, including communities with historically high menthol cigarette use.

Take the first step toward a smoke-free future by calling ASHLine today at 1-800-55-66-222 or signing up online at ASHLine.org. Whether you’re quitting yourself or supporting a loved one, ASHLine offers personalized coaching and resources to help all Arizonans achieve a healthier lifestyle.

By Emily Carlson|2024-05-23T13:59:08-07:00May 23rd, 2024|Prevention|Comments Off

About the Author: Emily Carlson

Emily Carlson is the Office Chief for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation at ADHS, serving in this capacity since January 2019. Emily possesses a broad set of skills in program management, community engagement, and leadership across the complete spectrum of stakeholders, including local, state, and national partners. In this position, Emily oversees all commercial tobacco and nicotine prevention and cessation activities for youth and adults. Prior to this role, Emily was the program manager in the Office of Cancer Prevention and Control at ADHS for six years. She was instrumental in statewide efforts to prevent and control cancer, while remaining highly committed to public health values and evidence-based programming. Emily is also the Immediate Past Chair of the national Tobacco Control Network Executive Committee. Emily is well-versed in building consensus around a common set of public health priorities and strategies. As tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of disease-related death in Arizona, her current focus is to reduce commercial tobacco use among communities most disproportionately impacted and address the alarming rise in vape use among Arizona youth. Emily obtained her Master of Public Health degree specializing in Social and Behavioral Health from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2013. Emily’s contract work with the Nevada Department of Health & Human Services prompted her master’s degree project that explored access to health care and health information among Nevada’s youth. In her free time, Emily enjoys cooking, yoga, and spending time with her spouse, infant daughter, and their two English Bulldogs: Oliver and Winnie.