Minnesotans, Quit Smoking and Win $5,000

QUITPLAN Services of Minnesota is giving current smokers an opportunity to win $5,000. Now through March 31, smokers can register at quitcash.com. Give up the cigarettes, cigars and pipes through the entire month of April and you'll be eligible to win. A random winner will be selected and awarded $5,000. The winner will be tested to ensure they are tobacco free.

Smokers can go to the QUITPLAN services website to get an individual program set up to help the person quit tobacco. You may also call (888) 354-PLAN for help. Free patches and nicotine pills are among the helps offered. You will also get free counseling. QUITPLAN Services also provides support for those who want to quit the use of smokeless tobacco as well.

Mike Sheldon of QUITPLAN Services was a guest on AM 1390's Talk of the Town. Mike stressed that having a plan for quitting is vital. People who wake up one morning and simply throw their cigarettes away and say I'm done have only a 3 percent chance of succeeding.

According to the Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey of 2014, 14.4 percent of adult Minnesotans smoke, which is down from 16.1 percent in the 2010 survey.