The Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs is encouraging residents to start training to win and sign up for the Quit Now Indiana contest.
Reducing tobacco use saves lives, but pairing those efforts with healthy diet and exercise choices can make quitting tobacco for good that much easier. The 2012 Quit Now Indiana will once again challenge Hoosier smokers to quit tobacco for the month of October.
According to the CDC, positive lifestyle changes increase the success rates of people trying to quit smoking. Good nutrition, increased consumption of water and exercise help with quitting tobacco.
“Quitting tobacco often takes planning and preparation,” said State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin, M.D. “Make a ‘training’ plan for the first few months to help you form new habits during those times when you would be using tobacco. By incorporating more exercise into your day, making healthier eating choices, and drinking plenty of water, you’ll stay occupied, while at the same time, creating a healthier overall lifestyle and mindset. We have plenty of Quit Coaches at the Indiana Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, who can provide training tips that meet your needs.”
The statewide contest is designed to encourage Hoosiers using tobacco products to make an attempt to quit now by offering them a chance to win cash prizes up to $2,500 for remaining tobacco-free for 31 days. The promotional contest is part of a larger statewide campaign known as Quit Now Indiana, linking tobacco users to cessation resources.
To be eligible to win, contestants must be 18 years or older, a legal resident of Indiana, a current tobacco user and stay tobacco free from Oct. 1-31. The registration period is open until Sept. 30. Contest winners will be drawn at random and will be tested to make sure they are tobacco-free to be eligible to claim a prize(s).
The 2012 contest is supported by St. Vincent Health and MDWise Hoosier Alliance. Last year’s contest received more than 4,500 entries representing every county in Indiana.
HCCAOD Director George Kristo said the contest comes at an important time, as there are fewer places to smoke with the new statewide smoke free air law in Indiana. Hoosier tobacco users can get free help in quitting from the Indiana Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Eligible Hoosiers can register locally at the Noblesville Public Library, 1 Library Plaza. Online registration is available at www.QuitNowIndiana.com and www.INShapeIndiana.org. For contest rules and more resources, visit www.QuitNowIndiana.com.