Crook. Co. group sponsors ‘cold turkey’ raffles for Smokeout
C4 is an organization dedicated to creating a safe, healthy and drug-free Crook County. In conjunction with the Crook County Health Department, the C4 Tobacco Workgroup is sponsoring 15 raffles for free turkeys throughout Crook County as a way to promote the Great American Smokeout happening Thursday, November 17th.
Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout event.
C4 is encouraging smokers and other tobacco users to use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By quitting – even for 1 day – tobacco users will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk.
About 40 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the world. Crook County has one of the highest tobacco use rates in Oregon, and 69 people die each year in Crook County from smoking related illnesses.
The 15 raffles are being held in partnership with several businesses including St. Charles Prineville, Lutheran Community Services Northwest and three of the major grocery stores in Prineville. Some locations are holding the raffle as a worksite wellness initiative, and some are offering the raffle to customers and clients.
Their participation brings awareness to the need for all of us to be supporting the efforts of those who would like to quit using tobacco. Anyone can enter the raffle by making a pledge to quit, supporting someone who is trying to quit, or pledging to not start using tobacco products.
To find out more about C4 and the C4 tobacco workgroup, please contact Kylie Loving at 541-447-3260 ext. 133 or email her at Kloving@h.co.crook.or.us.
