FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      CONTACT:    Donna Tommelleo, 860-884-8472

February 28, 2010                                                donna.tommelleo@ct.gov

Funds Will Help Smokers Kick the Habit

and Families Make Healthy Food Choices

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the state is receiving nearly $1.3 million in federal stimulus funds to support public health efforts to help citizens quit smoking, address obesity in children and other healthy choice initiatives in both schools and communities.

Connecticut’s $1.285 million award to the state Department of Public Health (DPH) is part of $119.1 million going to states as the first round of funding under the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative, funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

“These funds may be able to help a lot of people finally keep those New Year’s resolutions that often fall by the wayside a few weeks into the year, whether it is to stop smoking, lose weight or just live a healthier lifestyle,” Governor Rell said. “Preventing diseases is the ultimate goal of this initiative and will go a long way to bring health care spending under control.”

            The award will allow the DPH to expand its tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) services and work with grassroots organizations to promote those smoking cessation services among high-risk populations, including pregnant women and youth. The DPH will also partner with the MATCH Coalition (Mobilize Against Tobacco for Connecticut’s Health) for an educational campaign on smoke-free policies. The DPH will also use part of the funds to help schools and communities in a variety of ways to promote healthy food and beverage choices and physical activity.

For more information on stimulus activity in Connecticut visit www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link. To learn more about Communities Putting Prevention to Work, visit www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/recovery.

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