Health Department Encourages Smokers To Quit

Print More
MP3

(Host) Today is the Great American smoke out – when people are encouraged to kick the habit.   In Vermont, about 17% of the population smokes.  

As VPR’s Nina Keck reports, state health officials want smokers to know help is just a few computer clicks away.

(Keck) Yvonne Zietlow works with the state’s Tobacco Control Program.

(Zietlow) "Vermont is one of the few states that has recognized the most smokers are going to quit on their own, outside of traditional counseling services. So the campaign and the services that we have were developed to help those independent quitters.

(Keck) For instance, Zietlow says smokers can order a free pedometer or putty to distract their hands.  There are on line services and support groups to join.   The state even has a new computer game to distract you – all on Vermont quit network.org.   

But if that doesn’t help you quit – think of all the money you’ll save. Name brand cigarettes cost over $8 in Vermont.  For a pack a day smoker – that’s almost $3,000 a year.  

For VPR news, I’m Nina Keck

Comments are closed.