For the second straight year in a row, the local tobacco control coalition for Marion County is teaming up with state health officials to sponsor a statewide stop smoking contest known as “Quit 2 Win”.

             For people who smoke, “there’s never been a better time to quit” as the contest will offer cash prizes totaling $5,000, including a top prize of $2,500.

            Once the winner is determined, the prizes will be awarded later this fall. To sign up locally for the contest, people can visit any one of the following locations: Wishard Health Services, HealthNet, Inc. clinics, IU School of Dentistry, St. Francis Hospital, Minority Health Coalition of Marion County and at the Marion County Health Department.  The contest comes at an important time, as cigarette consumption in the state of Indiana is down significantly.

            In July 2007, a law was passed raising Indiana’s tobacco tax by 44 cents from 55 ½ cents to 99 ½ cents. Since that time, cigarette consumption in Indiana has dropped by 17.8 percent.  This progress is important, especially in light of the fact that the tobacco industry spends $425 million to promote its products in Indiana. It demonstrates that the money Indiana is spending in helping people quit smoking is having a positive impact. 

            “There has never been a better time to quit”, said Patrice Adams, Chair of Smoke Free Indy “Our local coalition is ready to help every Hoosier in our county who wants to quit to be successful.”  In order to enter the contest, you must be at least 18 years of age and pledge to stop using tobacco between September 15, 2008 and October 15, 2008.  All “Quit 2 Win” must be received by September 1^st. A winner will be drawn at random and tested to make sure they are tobacco-free. Cash prizes of $1,500 and $1,000, respectively, will be awarded to the second-place and third-place finishers.   

            To enter online, simply visit the INShape Indiana Web site at www.inshape.IN.gov and click on the “Quit 2 Win” icon. Hoosiers interested in signing up for the contest can also enter in person by filling out an entry card at various fairs and festivals throughout the state, as well as at concerts at the WhiteLies tv Lawn at White River State Park and Indiana Black Expo’s “Summer Celebration”.    

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 10:59 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.