QUITPLAN(R) Services Can Help Minnesotans Kick Tobacco Habit fo...( Free professional counseling an...),Health

Free professional counseling and support available from ClearWay

Minnesota(SM)

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- With Minnesota now a smoke-free state and the New Year fast approaching, many Minnesotans are looking to improve their health by quitting smoking in 2008. QUITPLAN Services, sponsored by ClearWay Minnesota offers free, professional counseling to help Minnesotans achieve their goal of stopping smoking for good.

"We know that many Minnesotans who smoke want to quit and have likely tried quitting cold turkey without success," said David Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer of ClearWay Minnesota. "We want to encourage Minnesotans to use the proven tools of QUITPLAN Services to quit tobacco and live healthier in 2008. People who receive professional help like this are much more likely to successfully quit than those who try to quit on their own."

Callers to 1-888-354-PLAN (7526) will receive information about all QUITPLAN Services available to them, including phone counseling, in-person counseling and online support and resources. In addition, Minnesotans can find out more information about these services at quitplan.com.

Studies have shown that using a professional program greatly increases a smoker's chance of successfully quitting, and independent research has found the comprehensive QUITPLAN programs to be especially effective. The average success rate for cold turkey quit attempts is 5 percent; Minnesota smokers who have received phone or in-person counseling through QUITPLAN Services have successfully quit at rates of 33 percent or better.

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
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