RI anti-smoking effort aims to help veterans quit
April 5, 2012
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PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The state of Rhode Island and a local Veterans Affairs medical center are teaming up to help active-duty service members and veterans kick the smoking habit.
The state's Department of Health and the Providence VA Medical Center announced this week that they will distribute a free two-week supply of nicotine patches to participating veterans.
The veterans must agree to take part in smoking-cessation counseling using a telephone helpline.
The state says studies show veterans use tobacco at a higher rate than the general population.
The new initiative is modeled after a similar program in Massachusetts.
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