Not only does quitting tobacco lead to immediate and long-term health benefits, it is also the quickest way to reduce tobacco-related disparities and health care costs.² Statewide and county tobacco cessation programs are available through the state of Wisconsin. Listed below are various organizations and insurance plans that have tobacco resources for individuals interested in quitting tobacco.

BadgerCare
BadgerCare is a Wisconsin Medicaid program that allows low-income individuals who are not elderly, blind, or disabled to enroll in health care coverage. BadgerCare Plus Standard Plan covers smoking cessation treatments. The co-payments are between $0.50 and $3.00. For more information, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

First Breath
First Breath is a free program that helps pregnant women quit smoking through counseling and goal setting. The program also trains health care providers to deliver evidence-based tobacco counseling as part of existing perinatal care while offering non-judgmental support, education materials, and incentives. For more information, please visit First Breath.

Freedom From Smoking
This program prepares individuals to quit smoking through a series of in-person group clinics or a flexible online format (Freedom from Smoking Plus), ensuring individuals are prepared to say goodbye to smoking for good. Throughout this program, individuals also have access to the Lung HelpLine (800-LUNGUSA), a Self-Help Guide and/or additional support by interacting with other smokers going through the quitting process. The program does have a small membership fee. For more information, please visit Freedom From Smoking .

Local County Hospitals
Tobacco cessation programs might be available at your local hospital. Depending on the program, hospitals can offer a wide variety of services that might be tailored to your specific goals. Please visit their website for more information.

Local County Public Health Departments
Additional support for tobacco cessation can be found within your local public health department. Resources and fees vary by program. For more information, please visit your local public health department.

Not on Tobacco (N-O-T)
This school-based program provides assistance to teens who wish to quit smoking, covering the entire quitting process including the prevention of relapses. The curriculum was created to help high school students stop or reduce the number of cigarettes smoked, increase healthy lifestyle behaviors, and improve life skills. For more information, please contact the American Lung Association in Wisconsin at 262-703-4200.

Wisconsin State Employee Health Plan
The State Employee Health Plan Coverage covers nicotine patches, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine inhalers, Varenicline (Chantix), Bupropion (Zyban), individual counseling, and phone counseling. Medications are limited to only 180 days, and counseling is limited to one visit per year. For more information, please visit Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Wisconsin Medicaid Coverage
Wisconsin Medicaid program covers nicotine gum, nicotine, patch, nicotine, nasal spray, nicotine lozenge, nicotine inhaler, Varenicline (Chantix), bupropion (Zyban), and individual counseling. Coverage varies for group counseling, and the Quit Line is not covered. Group counseling is only provided as outpatient substance abuse treatment. Per the Affordable Care Act, tobacco cessations are provided without co-payments. For more information, please visit American Lung Association.

Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line
The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line operates through Quit Line coaches who will help you prepare to quit smoking, set a Quit Day, and tailors the services to your needs. The cessation service also provides tips on how to quit as well as free medication to help smokers quit, such as nicotine gum, nicotine patch, and nicotine lozenge. For more information, please visit Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line or call 800-784-8669.

University of Wisconsin System
Wisconsin college students attending a university within the University of Wisconsin System can seek additional tobacco cessation resources through their school's health program. For more information, please visit the university's student health services.

University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI)
UW-CTRI outreach specialists provide free, onsite training and technical assistance to help health care providers and health systems integrate evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment, including the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line. These free services are supported by UW-CTRI and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.