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"We know that many Dads are trying to quit smoking and Father's Day may bethe perfect motivation to give up tobacco for good," said David Willoughby,ClearWay Minnesota chief executive officer. "The health benefits to you andyour family are worth the effort. And, with free help available from QUITPLANServices to quit, it's always a good time to improve your health and savemoney."
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In addition to improving the health of the smoker, the economic benefit toquitting smoking can really add up. Dad's cost savings if he chooses to quitcould pay for some very nice Father's Day presents -- for himself. Accordingto the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the average cost of a pack ofcigarettes in Minnesota is $4.74. After quitting for one week, a pack-a-daysmoker would save more than $33, enough to buy a new designer tie for Father'sDay. In one month, the ex-smoker would save more than $146, or enough for anew charcoal grill and four ribeye steaks.
After six months, the ex-smoker would save more than $870, enough for anew set of graphite-shafted golf clubs. In one year, $1,740, enough for aflat-panel HDTV, and two years after quitting would save $3,480, enough for azero-turn radius riding lawnmower. And, 35 years of being smoke-free wouldsave more than $60,000, enough to buy a brand new 3.4 liter, 6-cylinderPorsche Boxster with navigation control and a six-speed manual transmission.
Aside from the cost to the smoker, tobacco use takes its toll on allMinnesotans. Each year, 5,600 Minnesotans die from tobacco-related diseases,and the cost of smoking is estimated to be $2 billion in direct health carecosts. Minnesotans can find out about all the free help to quit smokingthrough QUITPLAN Services by calling 1-888-354-PLAN (7526).
About ClearWay Minnesota(SM)
ClearWay Minnesota is an independent, non-profit organization thatimproves 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 isfunded with 3 percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement. For moreinformation on ClearWay Minnesota or QUITPLAN Services, call 952-767-1400 orvisit clearwaymn.org.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.
SOURCE ClearWay Minnesota
