Smokefree.gov (http://www.smokefree.gov) provides free, accurate, evidence-based information and professional assistance to help support the immediate and long-term needs of people trying to quit smoking. The site was created by the Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute.

Smokefree.gov has a variety of resources to help you stop smoking, including a step-by-step quit smoking guide, a wide range of information sources related to smoking and quitting, free text messaging and mobile app services and much more.

National Cancer Institute smoking cessation counselors are available to answer smoking-related questions in English or Spanish, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Call 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) to learn more.

There are also state-based tobacco cessation "quitlines" available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Quitlines are staffed by counselors trained specifically to help smokers quit and the service is completely free.

An interesting interactive map of smoking trends by state is at www.smokefree.gov/map.aspx. Based on data from the 2009-2010 timeframe, the map shows smoking rates, average pack prices, work bans, restaurant bans and other information by state. We're doing pretty well here in California! Based on 2009 data, California had the 2nd lowest adult smoking rate in the U.S. at 12.8%, Utah was by far the lowest at 9.8%. rounding out the "Low 5" were Massachusetts (14.9%), Washington (14.9%) and Rhode Island (15%).

The national average in 2009 was 20.6%. The Top 5 smoking states were Kentucky (25.6%), West Virginia (25.5%), Oklahoma (25.4%), Mississippi (23.3%) and Indiana (23.1%).