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CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (AP) -- Quitline Iowa has a new operator, and new phone number.

The hot line to help Iowans quit smoking is now being run by the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver.

Quitline was started at the University of Iowa six years ago and was operated under contract with the Iowa Department of Public Health. The contract was renewed annually until last year, when Iowa's $1 per pack cigarette tax increase went into effect.

Under a bid process, a contract for 3 years and $6.8 million was awarded to the Colorado group.

The university is appealing. Last week, an administrative law judge upheld the decision by the state health department.

Meanwhile, officials say the new Quitline Iowa number didn't work for about an hour on Tuesday, its first day, because of problems at a telephone switching center.

The new Quitline Iowa number is 1-(800) QUITNOW.

(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)