The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans who need help quitting smoking or using smokeless tobacco of a great incentive to enroll in Quitline Iowa before the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout® on November 21. As part of a new expanded offering that began in October, any participant who enrolls could be eligible for eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy, either patches, gum or lozenges.

Iowans can take advantage of the program benefits offered by Quitline Iowa by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. The program gives participants access to a trained Quit Coach® to help them achieve freedom from tobacco. The Quit Coach® provides services including:

• Preparing participants for their Quit Date
• Helping develop an individualized Quitting Plan
• Providing tips and support to live in a smoke-free environment
• Offering advice and information on medications that may help with withdrawal symptoms

The Great American Smokeout® grew out of an event in 1974, when the editor of a Minnesota newspaper organized the first D-Day, or Don’t Smoke Day. Two years later, on November 18, 1976, the California Division of the American Cancer Society® successfully encouraged almost 1 million smokers to quit for the day. That event marked the first of what would become an annual event across the nation in 1977.

Tobacco users can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.quitnow.net/iowa today to enroll in the program and talk to a Quit Coach®. Registration specialists and Quit Coaches are available 24 hours a day.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center must repay more than $34,000 in flood aid.  The Sioux City Journal says the center had hired temporary workers to remove exhibits and other items to higher ground as Missouri River floodwaters menaced Sioux City in late May 2011. The workers also helped build a berm to protect the center and its sister facility, the Betty Strong Encounter Center.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency later provided nearly $78,600 in flood aid to the private nonprofit cultural group. But an audit showed the center’s board didn’t actually approve hiring the workers and paying for use of their pickups and other equipment.

State and federal officials eventually ruled the labor-related expenses couldn’t be reimbursed, so the center has to pay back some of the money.