MINNEAPOLIS, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Smokers around the state looking for an incentive to quit smoking are encouraged to enter QUITPLAN Services' first-ever springtime QuitCash Challenge for a chance to win money. Participants can win big with this challenge – a grand prize of $5,000 cash will be awarded to one Minnesotan who quits tobacco use by April 1, 2012, and remains tobacco-free for the entire month of April. Minnesotans who are current tobacco users and 18 years of age or older can enter the contest through March 31, 2012, online at quitcash.com.

This is the fifth quit-and-win contest sponsored by QUITPLAN Services and the first QuitCash Challenge to be held in the spring. Previous contests have launched in August with October as the quitting month. The most recent QuitCash Challenge concluded in October 2011 with 3,050 participants from nearly every county in Minnesota.

"We are thrilled to launch our first-ever springtime QuitCash Challenge," said David Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer of Clearway Minnesota(SM), the nonprofit organization that runs QUITPLAN Services. "Many smokers want to quit and the opportunity to have free, quit-smoking support, combined with a chance to win a cash prize, can be the extra push that helps them accomplish their goal."

A random drawing of all eligible contest registrants is used to select the grand prize winner and all winners are required to verify their tobacco free status. The successful quitter and winner of the challenge will be announced in May. Additional contest details include:

• Participants must successfully quit smoking by April 1 and remain smoke-free for at least the month of April in order to be eligible.
• Contest participants are encouraged, but not required, to use QUITPLAN Services' free quit-smoking services, including personalized plans, phone counseling services, online resources and free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges for qualifying individuals.
• If the selected winner uses QUITPLAN Services during the contest period, he or she will win an additional $500 in gift cards.

Launched by ClearWay Minnesota in 2001, QUITPLAN Services offers all Minnesotans year-round, free access to quit-smoking counseling and can provide individuals with nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. Minnesotans can find out about all the free help to quit smoking available through QUITPLAN Services by visiting quitplan.com or calling 1-888-354-PLAN (7526).

QUITPLAN® Services for Minnesotans include:

• The QUITPLAN® Helpline – The QUITPLAN Helpline offers telephone counseling and free nicotine patches, lozenges or gum to eligible callers. 1-888-354-PLAN (7526)
• quitplan.com – The website offers free lifetime membership, helpful quitting tools and activities and the option to connect online with thousands of others who have chosen to quit tobacco.
• QUITPLAN® at Work – The QUITPLAN at Work program offers free on-site professional group counseling for eligible businesses with at least eight employees ready to stop smoking.

SOURCE QUITPLAN Services