Minnesota tobacco users encouraged to kick the habit for chance to win cash
and prizes
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- It's time to cash in on quitting.
To urge more Minnesota tobacco users to kick the habit, ClearWay
Minnesota(SM) is introducing its first-ever, statewide QuitCash Challenge
at the Minnesota State Fair. Minnesotans can win big with this challenge --
a grand-prize of $5,000 cash will be awarded to one Minnesotan who quits
tobacco use by Oct. 1, 2008, and remains tobacco-free for the entire month
of October. The winner will be announced at the Minnesota Wild hockey game
on Nov. 24, 2008.
Any Minnesotan who has been a daily tobacco user for at least the past
year and is 18 years of age or older can sign up for the challenge. In
addition to the $5,000 grand prize, other prizes from Gander Mountain and
the Minnesota Wild will be awarded. Tobacco-free friends will also have the
opportunity to support a smoker in their quit attempt and possibly win
$250.
"This is the perfect opportunity for Minnesota smokers who have been
putting off quitting, for just the right moment," said David Willoughby,
Chief Executive Officer at ClearWay Minnesota. "Not only will participants
have a chance to win $5,000, but they will also save money by not
purchasing tobacco products. We also encourage participants to use QUITPLAN
Services, which are free, to help them make their attempt to quit more
successful."
Registration is easy: Online or in-person
-- quitcash.com: A website is now available for smokers to register online
for the challenge. The website also features a cost savings calculator
-- demonstrating just how much money quitters can save during the
contest -- and beyond -- when they quit a tobacco habit.
-- Minnesota State Fair: The QUITPLAN Services booth at the Minnesota
State Fair, located near the corner of Dan Patch Ave. and Cooper St.,
will offer more information on The QuitCash Challenge. Additionally,
smokers will have the opportunity to test their lung age and pick up
QUITPLAN Services signature breath mints and BPA-free water bottles.
The popular "Big Butt Junior" -- a 20-foot tall, crushed cigarette
standing in an ashtray 10 feet wide by four feet tall -- will be
stationed at the booth.
-- Gander Mountain Stores: Smokers will have the opportunity to sign up
for The QuitCash Challenge at the following Gander Mountain locations
during September:
-- Rochester on Sept. 6 (3470 55th Street NW)
-- Baxter on Sept. 13 (14275 Edgewood Drive)
-- Duluth on Sept. 20 (4275 Haines Road, Hermantown)
-- St. Cloud on Sept. 27 (614 Second Street South, Waite Park)
"As a Minnesota company, we are proud to support ClearWay Minnesota in
assisting Minnesota smokers' efforts to quit tobacco," said Janelle
Rydberg, Regional Marketing Manager, Gander Mountain.
Winner Announcement
ClearWay Minnesota has partnered with the Minnesota Wild to honor the
winners of The QuitCash Challenge at the game on Nov. 24. Several finalists
will be invited to the game for a celebration of the culmination of the
challenge.
In addition to being unhealthy for the smoker, tobacco use takes its
toll on all Minnesotans. Each year, 5,600 Minnesotans die from
tobacco-related diseases, and the cost of smoking is estimated to be $2
billion in direct health care costs. Minnesotans can find out about all the
free help to quit smoking through QUITPLAN Services by visiting
quitplan.com or calling 1-888-354-PLAN (7526).
QUITPLAN(R) Services for Minnesotans include:
-- The QUITPLAN(R) Helpline -- The QUITPLAN Helpline, offers telephone
counseling and free nicotine patches, lozenges or gum to eligible
callers.
-- quitplan.com -- The website offers free lifetime membership, helpful
quitting tools and activities and the chance to connect online with
thousands of others who have chosen to quit tobacco.
-- QUITPLAN(R) Centers -- QUITPLAN Centers provide in-person counseling in
a healthcare setting, as well as access to nicotine patches, lozenges
or gum.
-- Community-Tailored QUITPLAN(R) Centers -- A combination of stop-smoking
tools and culturally-tailored counseling for communities of color.
-- QUITPLAN(R) at Work -- The QUITPLAN at Work program offers free on-site
professional group counseling for eligible businesses with at least
eight employees ready to stop smoking.
About ClearWay Minnesota(SM)
ClearWay Minnesota is an independent, non-profit organization that
improves the health of Minnesotans by reducing the harm caused by tobacco.
ClearWay Minnesota serves Minnesota through its grant-making program,
QUITPLAN(R) stop-smoking services and statewide outreach activities. It is
funded with 3 percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement. For more
information on ClearWay Minnesota or QUITPLAN Services, call 952-767-1400
or visit http://clearwaymn.org.
Contact: Mike Sheldon
Communications Manager
(952) 767-1425
Merete Wells
Carmichael Lynch Spong
(612) 375-8532
(605) 228-9838
SOURCE ClearWay Minnesota
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Related links:
http://clearwaymn.org
CONTACT:
Mike Sheldon, Communications Manager,
+1-952-767-1425, or Merete Wells of Carmichael Lynch Spong,
+1-612-375-8532, +1-605-228-9838, both for ClearWay Minnesota
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