Matters Five Tips To Help Minnesotans Quit Smoking (NAPSA)—According to Minnesota Adult ‘Tobacco Survey (MATS) data, 14 percent of Minnesota adults smoke. More than half of adult Minnesotans who smoke every day have attempted to quit for at least one day, according to | Ua) U SE FREE PHONE CoAcHN e s &uone l 4 | I MATS. Even better news is that 63 percent of Minnesota adults who have ever smoked have quit already. If you or someone you care about would like to be among them, here are five steps from the experts at QUITPLAN Services, a free program that can help you quit smokingwithaslittle or as much supportas you wouldlike: 1. Set a quit date. Commit yourself to picking a date and mark it on your calendar. Give yourself a few weeks to prepare for this big day and treat your quit date with the samelevel of importance as otherlife-changing events. Ifyou find yourself ready to makethe move to tobacco-free living but “don’t really know when,’ you can talk with former tobacco users about what they did and get support from QUITPLAN Services. 2. Get support. Quitting can be difficult to do alone. Getting help and support from a trained coach or counselor can make a big difference. Research shows that counseling increases your chances of quitting. Support can come from friends and family, your health care provider or from QUITPLANServices. QUITPLANis a free service that can help you conquer your addiction and become 100 percent tobacco-free with genuine support and without lectures and judgment. in the routine that tried to suck you into smoking—whetherit’s going somewhere different, doing something different, or just taking a few moments to collect yourself. 4. Lookin yourwallet. Quitting isn't just good for your health. It’s good for yourwealth, too. You'll save money from yourfirst tobacco-free day. You might be amazed how muchyou'll save when you aren't buying cigarettes every week. You can find out from the quit smoking calculator at www.quitplan.com. If you smoke a pack a day, you would save nearly $3,000 in just one year and more than $14,000 in five years. Quitting can even help you win money. QUITPLAN Services offers monthly Mini-Quit Mondays, when Minnesotans can win $100 for participating, and the chance These provide text messages, e-mail to win a grandprize of $5,000. free “starter kits,” which include a two- tell you your own personal reasons for quitting but reminding yourself why you're quitting can help keep you on track. Whether you're quitting for your support, a downloadable quit guide and week supply of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. In addition, tobacco users can speak to a quit coach over the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support and help in quitting. 3. Makea list of triggers and alter- 5. Remember WHY. No one can health, your future, family and friends, savings or just so you won't have to stand outin the cold for a smoke break, natives. Identifying the situations and experiences that make you want to light up is important. Coming up with distractions or substitutes can help you think about that reason and keep reminding yourself you can do this because you have youreye on theprize that is your “why.” ations. Cravings will happen as your body weans off nicotine but if you're prepared and know what to do, you can beat them. Changeit up; put a wrench For further facts and advice about ways to quit smoking,as well as helpful overcome your cravings in these situ- Learn More resources, visit www.quitplan.com or call (888) 354-PLAN (7526).
