After 16 years of tobacco addiction, John Peterson quit after he met Nancy Caspersen.
Jump to full article: The Idaho Statesman, 2007-08-12
Author: Kathleen Kreller
Intro: Race car driver John Peterson is all about beating his opponents. But one thing he couldn't beat was smoking, until, that is, he found out about Nancy Caspersen's class.
Peterson smoked for 16 years and had accepted that he'd never be free of his tobacco addiction. Then he saw a flier for Caspersen's free smoking cessation class and decided to give it one more try. He quit for good in 2002.
"I was so excited to finally quit I wanted to help other people find the resource," Peterson said.
Now Peterson is trying to get the word out. His race car is sponsored by Project Filter and Idaho Quitnet, smoking cessation programs through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. His motto: "We're hot -- but we're not smoking."
Peterson talks to school children about the dangers and addiction of tobacco, and spreads an anti-tobacco message in a sport known for embracing its use. Peterson's entire Number 83 car is an anti-smoking message; "Smoke Free 83."
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