"Quit 2 Win" Stop Smoking Contest Honors Winners

Statewide Contest Honors People Who Quit Smoking As New Year Begins

FT. WAYNE, IN - As the New Year unfolds, "There's Never Been a Better Time to Quit" using tobacco. According to state officials, the New Year is a great time for resolutions and a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. It's also a good time to encourage family and friends to quit using tobacco and enjoy a smoke-free lifestyle.

Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation today announced the winners from the 2007 "Quit 2 Win" Contest and urged tobacco users to use the success of the contestants as motivation for future quit attempts. More than 5,000 Hoosiers participated in the "Quit 2 Win" Contest.

With the contest now completed, Zachary Joley of Fort Wayne, Ind. today was introduced as the top prize winner of $2,500.

State Health Commissioner, Judy Monroe, M.D. and Karla Sneegas, executive director, Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation joined together with local health officials in making the announcement.

"As a physician, I have seen the toll tobacco use takes on individuals and their families. I congratulate all of the prize winners for successfully breaking their addiction to tobacco," said Dr. Monroe. "I would also like to applaud every person who participated in the Quit 2 Win contest. For those who are now tobacco free, you have won yourself a higher quality of life for yourself and your family. For those who struggled, I urge you to keep up the effort. A longer, healthier life is a prize worth fighting for."

Additional "Quit 2 Win" winners include:

• Gretchen Neubauer  Indianapolis, IN            Tickets for two to the entire 2008 Verizon Wireless concert season
• Aaron Parks              Plainfield, IN               IndyCar ride along experience (donated by Lyn St. James)
• Tina Barnett              Washington, IN            Indianapolis Motor Speedway merchandise
• Steve Maufin             Indianapolis, IN            Two tickets to Holiday World                        
• Jesse Burnett            Indianapolis, IN             $25 Simon Gift Card            
• Lillie Thompson        Mill Creek, IN               5 tickets to the 2008 Indiana State Fair           

In bringing the contest to a close, Sneegas said the enthusiasm created  by the Quit 2 Win contest builds on a rapidly-increasing number of Hoosiers who are ready to become tobacco-free.

"Indiana's first statewide quit smoking contest involved over 5,000 participants and I find that extremely encouraging, said Sneegas. "Our data show that 89% of Hoosiers that smoke want to quit. We hope they will be motivated from the courage of the Quit 2 Win contestants to inspire them to try to quit are we prepare to usher i in a new year."

Fort Wayne officials were especially pleased to have the winner right in their own backyard.

"Of all the things you can do to improve your health, quitting smoking will have the most immediate and the longest lasting benefit. I congratulate everyone who successfully stopped smoking last year and I urge anyone who has made it a New Year's resolution to quit to take advantage of the great cessation resources available in the community," said Deborah McMahan, Allen County Health Commissioner. 

"Tobacco Free Allen County is thrilled that Zachary is the winner of the "Quit  2 Win" contest," said Dick Conklin, executive director, Tobacco Free Allen County. "Actually, everyone in Allen County and throughout the state who entered the contest is a winner. If everyone who entered the contest was successful in quitting, almost immediately they start becoming a healthier person as do all of their friends and family members who are close to them."

Data released last month by the Centers for Disease Control and   Prevention (CDC) show that Indiana's smoking rate dropped by  13 percent between 2005 and 2006.   More than 130,000 Hoosiers quit smoking during that time. The 2007 Youth Risk Behavior    Survey also showed a decrease in the percentage of teens who had ever tried cigarette smoking.

Free, Two-Week Supply of NRT Being Offered

ITPC began a New Year's Promotion for the free Indiana Tobacco Quitline that includes a limited-time offer of a free, two-week supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) - in the form of nicotine patches and gum for individuals who enroll in quitline services. Hoosiers ready to quit smoking can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW and talk with a quit coach, who will discuss NRT with you in combination with free phone counseling.

"As the new year begins, the best gift someone can give to a friend or loved one is a simple, toll-free phone number, 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)," added Sneegas.   "It could save their life."

The New Year's promotion is open to any Hoosier who is ready to quit by calling the Indiana Tobacco Quitline while the supply lasts.

"Our goal is to make sure every Hoosier who is ready to quit smoking can get help.  Let "1-800-QUIT-NOW" be the gift you give this season."

Source: Indiana State Department of Health Press Release

Technorati Tags: News Undefined State 1-800-QUIT-NOW Aaron Parks Government Gretchen Neubauer Health Jesse Burnett Judy Monroe Lillie Thompson Quit Smoking Smoking Cessation Steve Maufin Stop Smoking Stop Smoking Help Indiana Tina Barnett Zachary Joley