AUBURN – Healthy Androscoggin’s eighth annual Quit and Win celebration was held on March 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn. More than 60 participants and their helpers joined to celebrate their success in taking the first step to living their life free from tobacco.

Ed Miller, executive director of the American Lung Association, was the keynote speaker.

Miller said big tobacco companies are aggressively marketing their tobacco products to a young audience. He showed a pack of little cigars, which are identical to cigarettes and only cost a fraction of the price.

“We certainly have some work to do, and there are several bills in the Legislature this session, including a tobacco tax increase and a bill to reclassify small cigars as cigarettes,” said Miller. A $1.50 increase in Maine’s cigarette tax would avoid 7,300 smoking-related deaths and save $358.7 million in lifetime health costs, he said.

Miller added, “It is no accident that we are all here tonight.” Maine has taken its tobacco money and put it to work, supporting coalitions like Healthy Androscoggin to help people overcome their tobacco addiction.

The Quit and Win participants were registered for the prize drawing, which included gift certificates donated by local businesses. The grand prizes included three cash awards of $100, $250 and $500.

The program opened with a welcome by Bonnie Bickford, American Cancer Society and Healthy Androscoggin’s Tobacco Committee chairwoman. She congratulated the participants on their success in overcoming such a tough addiction and encouraged them to continue with their new healthy lifestyle. She also thanked helpers for their support. Bickford recognized and presented plaques to corporate sponsors.

Prizes were drawn at the end of the event and more than $1,000 in cash prizes was awarded. Cash prize winners were: Alicia Thibodeau, $500; Terry Ray, $250; and Louise Paquette, $100.

Helpers who supported other in their quit attempts were also eligible for cash prizes. The winners included Christopher Jenness, $100; Wendy Blanchard, $50; and Joline Daigle, $25.

For information on quitting, call Healthy Androscoggin at 795-5990 or visit www.healthyandroscoggin.org.