Indiana health officials have joined forces with MDWise Hoosier Alliance and ADVANTAGE Health Solutions to offer up to $2,500 in rewards for those who stay tobacco free, whether smoking or chewing tobacco.
Cigarette butt and ash
“Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to improve your health,” Indiana State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin, M.D. said in a prepared statement. “We know there are a large number of Hoosiers who are ready to quit smoking and the Quit Now Indiana Contest is the perfect opportunity for many of them to make a serious quit attempt.”
The 2010 contest had more than 3,500 entrants, representing every county in Indiana.
Contestants must remain tobacco free for the duration of the month of October, which is 31 days.
Once the contest is completed, names of those entered in the contest will be drawn and given a saliva test to ensure they remained tobacco free.
“The 2010 Quit Now Indiana Contest was a great success. Indiana is committed to helping anyone who is ready to quit. Tobacco use is an addiction, not a habit. People are generally more successful if they seek help in quitting. The contest is a great way to prepare, set a quit date and break free from tobacco use,” Karla Sneegas, Assistant Commissioner of Tobacco Prevention and Cessation at the State Health Department said.
In 2010, Steve Williams, of Indianapolis, took home the $2,500 grand prize. Second place went to Craig Watson, of Elkhart, with $1,500 and $1,000 went to Nikki Wall, of Fort Wayne, for third place.
In coordination with the Quit Now Indiana program, the State Health Department is offering options for employers to help their employees stop smoking.
There are currently more than 400 employers enrolled in the Quit Now Preferred Employer, Providers and Organization Networks. Last year, the campaign reached more than 40,000 employees and students, according to a press release.
“They (employers, health care providers and non-profit organizations) are provided with a tool kit with information, flyers, posters and quit cards,” Greene County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coordinator Nancy Cummings said.
“There are people in our county — such as me or Chris Sparks (of Home Health Care) and others — that can come and talk to them about how to adopt a comprehensive policy,” Cummings explained.
