Can Rica and Vitto quit?

From August 23 to October 1, actress and TV personality Rica Peralejo and sportscaster and radio DJ Vitto Lazatin take on the 40-day challenge of kicking and beating the smoking habit as they join the Kick it! Beat it! Quit Smoking Campaign sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Health-care in support of the smoking cessation program of the Department of Health.

One of the brightest stars in showbiz today, Rica confessed that she has always wanted to quit smoking. However, she never got around to doing so. But Rica is not about to give up. When approached to join the Kick It! Beat It! Celebrity Challenge, Rica was filled with excitement and determination that she can and will be able to quit smoking in 40 days. She has been seriously thinking about beating the smoking habit and she feels that NOW could be the perfect time to do so.

Rica is part of ABS-CBN shows "Sa Piling Mo", "Ok Fine, Oh Yes!", "Wowowee" and "ASAP."

Meanwhile, sports anchor and radio jock Vitto admits that he could not get through the morning without his daily dose of cigarettes. Smoking has been a big part of Vitto's life for as far as he could remember. But after putting in much thought, he finally decides to take on the "greatest challenge" of his life - to be able to quit smoking in 40 days. His family is his primary motivation as he is quitting for his two-year old son. He knows that it won't be easy to quit, but believes that he would be able to do so.

Vitto is a radio DJ for K-lite 103.5's morning show, "The Morning Brew" which airs weekdays, 6 to 10 am. He is also a sportscaster for Solar Entertainment.

Can Rica and Vitto quit? They are joined by top model Amanda Griffin and actor Epy Quizon in the Kick it! Beat it! smoke free celebrity challenge. To cope with the difficulties of quitting smoking, the challengers have received valuable information on smoking and various strategies of overcoming the habit including the use of nicotine gum, a popular form of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and a proven pharmacologic stop smoking aid which helps with the cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking during the quitting period. The nicotine gum is available at Mercury Drugstore outlets nationwide without a prescription.

Help Rica, Vitto, Amanda and Epy in their quitting journey by sending words of encouragement through the textline 0919-605-4952 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information on quitting, log on to www. nicorette.com.ph.

Photos show Rica and DJ Vitto during the launch of Kick It! Beat It! Quit Smoking Campaign, both determined to kick and beat the smoking habit and encourage smokers out there to take on the same challenge.