Free help is available for stopping smoking

The Iowa Department of Public Health says one in eight rural Iowans currently smoke. Among them, 85 percent say they wish to quit, mainly for health reasons. Nearly 20 percent, however, say their main reason for wanting to quit is the cost.

Now Northeast Iowans can get free nicotine patches and nicotine gum during the month of January. Helping Services for Northeast Iowa Community Prevention Specialist Marilyn Zweibahmer says Quitline Iowa is doubling the number of patches and gum it will be distributing this month.

For more information, call (800) QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669, or visit www.quitlineiowa.org. Help is also available for users of chewing tobacco.