PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Release Date:
Dec. 22, 2006

Contact: Derric Miller

CSD Communications Office

dsmiller@c-s- d.org <mailto:dsmiller@c-s- d.org>

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Smokers Urged to Call Smoking Helpline

TULSA, OK (Dec. 22, 2006) - CSD of Oklahoma is encouraging deaf and hard
of hearing smokers and tobacco users in Oklahoma to call the free
Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) . Consumers
can call through their state relay service using TTY, Captel or
Videophone for assistance to quit smoking as a 2007 New Year's
resolution.

"We're advocating for our deaf and hard of hearing friends and family
members to take advantage of this effective free service to help them
quit tobacco," said Glenna Cooper, CSD of Oklahoma division director.

An independent evaluation recently conducted by the University of Oklahoma College of Public Health found that over 90 percent of all
hearing callers to the Helpline were satisfied with the services
provided and would recommend the Helpline to others included deaf and
hard of hearing residents. The evaluation results also showed that even
a full year after calling the Helpline, hearing participants are six
times more likely to have quit tobacco than those who just go "cold
turkey."

Over 400,000 American each year die from tobacco use, and the New Year
is the single most popular time of the year to quit smoking.

"If you're ready to quit, the Helpline is ready to help," said Cooper.

The Helpline staff will be learning new tools on how to communicate and
work with the Deaf and Hard of hearing callers.

The Helpline's professional Quit Coaches(r) work with callers to create
a quit plan tailored to their individual needs, including up to four
additional personal coaching sessions. The Helpline's hours of operation
are 7 a.m.-11 p.m. seven days a week, and staff will return any messages
left after hours. For more information about the Helpline, please see
http://www.ok. gov/tset/ Programs/ Tobacco_Use_ Prevention_ and_Cessation/ .

For more information on CSD of Oklahoma, contact Glenna Cooper via
telephone at (800) 697-9445, by fax at (918) 835-6459, by video phone:
gcooper.csd. tv <CALLTO:gcooper. csd.tv> or via e-mail at
gcooper@c-s- d.org.

About CSD - CSD (aka Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) was
established in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting
services to deaf and hard of hearing adults in South Dakota. Today, CSD
employs over 3,000 individuals in offices across the nation, providing a
broad continuum of social and human services programs, as well as
telecommunications relay services. CSD is a private nonprofit agency
dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public accessibility;
and increasing awareness of issues affecting the deaf, hard of hearing
and individuals with speech disabilities. For more information, please
visit www.c-s-d.org <http://www.c- s-d.org/> .

# # #

Glenna K. Cooper

Division Director

CSD of Oklahoma, www.c-s-d.org

Regional Director

Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)

www.cepintdi. org <http://www.cepintdi .org> (temporary)

8519 E. 11th St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74112

918-835-7445 TTY/V 866-845-7445 TTY/V Toll Free

918-835-6459 Fax gcooper csd AIM

gcooper.csdtulsa. tv - videophone

www.csdvrs.com www.csd.tv

"I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by
it." Maya Angelou

CSD ~ An Official Sponsor of the 2007 Winter Deaflympics


Remember,
Dance like nobody is watching,
And smile like you know a secret.