Chancellor Marty Meehan speaks to members of the press at the launch of the Ready, Set, Quit Lowell campaign at Lowell City Hall.

The City of Lowell has some pretty grim statistics when it comes to smoking.  With a higher than average rate of lung cancer and lung cancer-related deaths, tobacco poses a major health risk to people who live and go to school here.

But help is on the way.  Now, through May 24, UML is partnering with other members of the community in a major campaign to help smokers kick the habit. “Ready, Set, Quit Lowell” is a program spearheaded by the state Department of Public Health (DPH), providing a free two-week supply of nicotine patches to adults living, working or going to school in the Mill City.

Chancellor Marty Meehan attended the official launch of the campaign at a recent press conference at City Hall.  Joined by DPH Commissioner John Auerbach, City Manager Bernie Lynch, local politicians -- including Reps. Kevin Murphy and Tom Golden -- and area healthcare leaders, Meehan spoke passionately about the dangers of tobacco use.

“Cigarettes are the only product on the market that will kill you if you use them as directed on the package,” Meehan said.

Ready, Set, Quit has run successfully in other cities around the state.  Normally, the promotion is only open to residents of a participating city or town.  However, the Lowell promotion will open the program up to individuals who work and go to school in the city.

UML is supporting the campaign by promoting it on campus and encouraging students, faculty and staff to take advantage of the program.  For more information about Ready, Set, Quit Lowell, call 1-800-Try-To-Stop (1-800-879-8678).