Calls to the North Dakota Quitline doubled in March.

The Quitline is a state-operated program to set people up with services to help them quit smoking. During an average month, it will receive about 250 calls. In March, the hotline received 553 calls.

"A lot of people were preparing for the tax increase," said Michelle Walker, cessation coordinator with the North Dakota Department of Health.

Price increases in tobacco products, and a 62-cent federal tax increase in April, are likely causes for the spike in calls, she said.

"Whenever there is a price increase, more people try to quit," said Kathleen Mangskau, chairwoman of the North Dakota Tobacco Prevention and Control Advisory Committee.

The tax on a pack of cigarettes is $1.45 in North Dakota, with 44 cents accounting for the state's tobacco tax. Tobacco companies increased the cost of cigarettes by 42 cents to 71 cents, according to USAToday.

This is the first price increase since the Quitline began in September 2004. The cessation hotline was not available when state tobacco taxes increased in 1993.

People can talk with a counselor or listen to pre-recorded messages when calling the number. Usually, about 230 people sign up for counseling sessions. The high volume has caused appointments to be scheduled up to three weeks out, Walker said.

For people who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover smoking cessation products, the state offers nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. The program recently changed from offering a 28-day supply to offering up to a two-month supply of product.

How long a person needs nicotine replacement products varies, Walker said.

"It depends on the person and how much tobacco they use," she said.

The North Dakota Tobacco Quitline number is 800-QUIT-NOW, or 800-784-8669.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)