Pocono News Section

Poconos Group Wants to Help You Quit

Poconos Group Wants to Help You Quit - Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 2:41PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 @ 02:41pm EST
EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - A law that will keep indoor air clean goes into effect Thursday. One group wants to use the new law to encourage people to quit smoking.

Tobacco Free Northeast PA held smoke-free celebrations all across the area Wednesday.

Gabriel Martinez went to lunch with two cigarettes left in his pack.

He said, "After I eat. I should probably smoke these. But I'm not."

He planned to enjoy a sandwich and a smoke until he heard a radio ad. It advertised a special event at the Dansbury Depot in East Stroudsburg.

Gabriel said, "I zoomed right over here cause it was lunch time and I'd thought about quitting."

Anyone who threw out cigarettes or items with cigarette company logos got a $3 restaurant coupon.

Organizers say the Dansbury Depot Restaurant is the perfect place for this event because it's been smoke free for ten years.

Depot Owner Pat Mullally said, "You market what you're doing. Make it positive. And 99% of people thought it was positive."

Now the Depot will have some clean air competition. A state smoking ban starts Thursday.

"Overall I think it's a good thing. Do I mind losing some of that competitive edge - of course I do. I think it's good for everybody," said Mullally.

Others, like Gabriel, said the ban encouraged them to kick the habit.

"I like to go to a restaurant and not have people smoking right next to me," he said.

Gabriel picked up his first smoke 15 years ago and has quit three times. This time, he hopes it's for good.

He remarked, "It'll be tough at first but after the first month it gets easier and easier."

For information on how you can stop smoking visit .