Tobacco-Free Coalition Helps
Area Smokers Quit the Habit

The Community Tobacco-free Coalition and the Vt. Dept. of Health are supporting local residents who are trying to quit smoking by providing fun, interactive tools that take five minutes or less to complete, which is the amount of time that the average cigarette craving lasts.

"Our giveaways are designed to help folks who are quitting get through those cravings," said Coalition coordinator Susan Delattre. "Distraction Putty and handy wallet-sized quit tips cards are available at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph and at its clinics in Bethel, Chelsea and Rochester, as well as at WIC clinics (Women, Infants and Children) in our area."

To support local efforts by the Tobacco-free Coalition, the Vt. Dept. of Health’s "Every Try Counts" theme aims to reach smokers when and where they are most likely to want to smoke during their busy days.

The health department is using mobile phone technology to connect with smokers by sponsoring a daily contest to win a free two-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches or lozenges. Cell phone users simply enter the contest by sending the text message "NRT" to 247365 or by logging on to www.tobaccostories.org. Entrants and visitors to the site also will be able to opt in to receiving weekly quit tips on their phones, and one winner will be chosen daily through January 2008.

Every Try Counts ads are featured on the top of gas pumps at select service stations to encourage smokers to enter the mobile phone contest. Inside the gas station convenience stores, they’ll find coffee cup sleeves printed with the "A Cigarette Craving Only Lasts Five Minutes" message that encourages them to pass the five minutes by calling a friend or singing along with the radio, instead of lighting up. Bars and restaurants offer Every Try Counts coasters with two games that will help the five-minute cigarette crave pass quickly.

"We frequently hear from smokers that they’ve quit before, only to start again," Delattre said. "We want to make sure that they know that every try really does count towards the goal of stopping smoking for good."

For more information, call the Vermont QuitLine at 1-800-QUITNOW (784-8669), or contact a quit coach at Gifford Medical Center by calling 728-2118 or visit www.TobaccoStories.org.

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