PA offers Free Nicotine Patches in Honor of Great American Smokeout

Today is 37th Annual Great American Smokeout and in honor of this event the Pennsylvania Department of Health is offering free nicotine replacement therapy - also known as the nicotine patch- to help smokers quit.

A press release from the Department of Health said NRT is offered to Pennsylvanians each year in conjunction with the Great American Smokeout. The annual event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, encourages Americans to stop smoking for 24 hours, hoping their decision not to smoke will last forever.

“Quitting smoking can be challenging, but your chances for success increase when you have help and support,” Acting Secretary of Health Michael Wolf said. “The department offers services that can help smokers quit for good, and we encourage Pennsylvanians to take the first step toward living a longer, healthier life.”

The American Cancer Society reports: Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — Nearly 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.

To find out if you are eligible for free nictoine patches, call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) to be connected to trained staff that will help you develop and carry out a plan to quit smoking. The state is providing one-on-one coaching and ongoing support and resources.

"Up to eight weeks of free NRT patches will be offered to participants who are medically eligible," according to the press release.

If you're a smoker...will you take advantage of this offer? Tell us in the comments.