PHOTO GALLERY: Participants of smoking cessation program do relaxation exercises at Oak Towers

July 23, 2012 | 6:00 a.m. CDT

Thanks to a partnership between the Columbia Housing Authority and the Health Department, smokers with limited resources looking to quit have new opportunities to kick the habit.

Bob Turner clenches his arms as part of the progressive relaxation exercise on Tuesday afternoon at Oak Towers. Turner began smoking when he was 15 years old and has tried quitting seven times.
| Robert Swain

Colton Dey holds her chewed up drinking straw Tuesday afternoon at Oak Towers. Dey chews on the straw whenever she craves a cigarette. Dey says it's better then candy. | Robert Swain

Colton Dey, Oak Towers resident, spent a least $125 a month on cigarettes, and now she is saving the money for a set of false teeth.
| Robert Swain

Colton Dey, 57, left, Bob Turner, 64, and Kimi Nolte, program assistant with Columbia Housing Authority do relaxation exercises as part of the cessation class Tuesday afternoon at Oak Towers.
| Robert Swain