Free Nicotine Patches and Gum at the L.A. County Fair This Friday and Saturday

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - September 17, 2009) - Amidst all the deep fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and other food at the L.A. County Fair there will be at least one opportunity to get healthier. The LA County Department of Public Health will be on hand at the L.A. County Fair this Friday and Saturday to give away free nicotine patches and gum to help people who smoke quit the harmful and deadly addiction. The booth will be located on Action Avenue near the Yellow main gate. The 2-week starter kits will be available on Friday, September 18th from 12 noon to 12 midnight, and Saturday, September 19th from 10 am to 12 midnight.

By giving away free nicotine patches and gum, the LA County Department of Public Health hopes to motivate people to create a quit smoking plan to start on the path to a healthier life and save money at the same time -- purchasing a pack of cigarettes a day costs a smoker nearly $1,600 a year.

Any smoker 18 years of age or older is eligible to receive these free quit smoking aids. Participants must present a valid form of identification and will be screened for eligibility to ensure that the nicotine replacement therapy will not conflict with any pre-existing conditions.

For those unable to stop by the L.A. County Fair, these free nicotine patches and gum are available at any Ralphs Pharmacy in L.A. County, while supplies last.

For more information about this giveaway, please visit www.LAQuits.com. A Google map of all 47 Ralphs Pharmacies in L.A. County is available on the homepage. Additional details and smoking cessation tips can be found on the LA Quits Facebook page and Twitter @LAQuits.

For additional resources about quitting smoking and free and confidential telephone counseling, call 1-800-NO-BUTTS.