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Stop smoking contest draws 1,000

State health officials announced today that 1,000 people have now entered Indiana's stop smoking contest.

"There's never been a better time to quit smoking," said Dr. Judy Monroe, the Indiana State Health Commissioner, in a prepared statement. "We're very encouraged by the outpouring of interest we've received to the Quit 2 Win contest. As a result, we have reached our first milestone of success this week with our 1,000th entry. I am encouraged by this positive response."

Officials have been pushing Hoosiers to quit after lawmakers raised the cigarette tax. Indiana's state cigarette tax rose July 1 by 44 cents, to 99.5 cents, to pay for a new state health insurance plan for low-income Hoosiers. Health officials hope it will also persuade more Hoosiers to quit.

From now through Sept. 5th, anyone 18 years or older and a legal resident of Indiana and who is a regular smoker, can enter the Quit 2 Win contest to win a prize. To enter the Quit 2 Win contest online, go to inshape.IN.gov and click on the Quit 2 Win logo for a contest entry and more details.

The state is also making available additional resources for people to quit. One example is the state's toll-free tobacco quit line -- 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).

The prizes include:

* Live Nation Verizon Wireless Music Center "grass pass" for 2 for the entire 2008 summer concert series.

* A "ride along" experience in a genuine IndyCar-style race car around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

* Tickets to the Indiana State Fair.

* Passes to Holiday World and Splashin' Safari (admission passes)

The contest's top prize is $2,500.