QUITPLAN(R) Services Can Help Make Mother's Day Smoke-Free

Stop-smoking services available for all Minnesotans

MINNEAPOLIS, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- As Mother's Day approaches, many smokers can give their mothers and themselves the gift of health by quitting. The holiday is an excellent opportunity to quit smoking for Mom, or for mothers to quit smoking for their kids. QUITPLAN(R) Services can help Minnesotans quit smoking, whether it's on Mother's Day or at any other time of the year. Created by ClearWay Minnesota(SM), QUITPLAN Services provide free professional counseling and a variety of help options for those looking to quit.

According to the Surgeon General, smoking is responsible for 80 percent of lung cancer deaths in women. Quitting smoking not only improves personal health, but also reduces the risk of exposing others to secondhand smoke. According to the Surgeon General, children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems and more severe asthma.

"We know quitting smoking can be hard, and that is why we have one of the most comprehensive programs to help Minnesotans quit," said David Willoughby, ClearWay Minnesota chief executive officer. "We want to encourage Minnesotans to use the proven tools of QUITPLAN Services to quit smoking and live healthier. QUITPLAN Services can help make Mother's Day smoke-free for you and your loved ones."

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 calling 1-888-354-PLAN (7526).

QUITPLAN(R) Services for Minnesotans include:

-- The QUITPLAN(R) Helpline -- The QUITPLAN Helpline,
1-888-354-PLAN (7526), 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 clearwaymn.org.

Contact: Mike Sheldon
Communications Manager
(952) 767-1425

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: ClearWay Minnesota

CONTACT: Mike Sheldon, Communications Manager of ClearWay Minnesota,
+1-952-767-1425

Web Site: http://www.clearwaymn.org/

2008-05-09 17:38:07 0358059 PRNEWSWIRE