Win money to quit smoking

BRAZIL, Ind (WTHI) - Local tobacco control coalition members announced the launch of “Quit Now Indiana” – a statewide “stop smoking” contest offering $5,000 in cash prizes that is designed to encourage Hoosiers to quit using tobacco.

The summer-long campaign comes in the wake of a historic new low in Indiana’s adult smoking rate from 26.1% in 2008 to 23% in 2009 – a decline of 11%.

Prize money totaling $5,000 will be provided to the top three winners, courtesy of AmeriHealth Mercy of Indiana, the presenting sponsor of the contest.

The top prize winner, who successfully quits smoking from September 1st to September 30th, 2010, and whose name is randomly drawn, will receive $2,500 as the grand prize winner. The second and third place winners will receive $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.

To sign up for the “Quit Now Indiana” contest, entrants must be at least 18 years of age, a legal resident of Indiana and a regular user of tobacco. In addition to signing up online at www.INShape.IN.gov or www.quitnowindiana.com, tobacco users can sign up in person wherever a “Quit Now Indiana” signup box is located.

Locally, the boxes are currently at the LEAAP Center and will be located at the YMCA, as well as other locations till the end of August. It is so easy to sign up online but the boxes are there for those who may not have access to a computer.

Statewide, the contest sign-ups will take place at major events such as the 2010 Indiana State Fair and the 1-800-QUIT-NOW Concert Series at the Lawn at White River State Park. The entry deadline is August 23rd.

According to Karla Sneegas, executive director, Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation (ITPC), this year’s contest will have a focus on encouraging people to quit with an additional emphasis on outreach through employers.

“We need our worksites in Indiana to be tobacco-free…adults spend the majority of their day on the job and we want to encourage employers to make the easy choice and create a healthier environment for everyone,” said Sneegas.

She continued, “Employers have a fantastic opportunity to capitalize on the momentum that we are building through Quit Now Indiana activities like this year’s contest.”

Data shows that an employer with a workforce of at least 500 people will spend as much as $400,000 annually on costs related to tobacco use by their employees.

Hoosier employers are invited to become a Preferred Employer with the Indiana Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW), a free quit service offered through ITPC.

For more information concerning the Preferred Employer program and would like to have a Quit Now Indiana contest box for your workplace, contact Kandace Brown at 812-236-6644.