Kelly Kimmett has always had a hatred for tobacco companies and the nicotine addiction that lead to the death of his father.

In his final act before retiring, the 30-year Cochrane pharmacist is staging an unprecedented effort to encourage all Cochranites to butt out for good on the same day.

On Saturday, June 15, the massive smoking cessation clinic "Cochrane Quits" will be held at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre starting at 1 p.m.

Les Hagen, executive director of Alberta Action on Smoking & Health, will be discussing smoking cessation strategies and pharmacists will also speak about quitting strategies. There will also be Nicotine Replacement Therapy samples available, like nicotine gum and patches.

Kimmet believes the aim to establish QUIT buddies, partners and teams might be the most valuable outcome from the day.

"I think the most important thing is to try and form peer groups of people who want to quit together," says Kimmett. "We can put them in pairs, we can put them in teams of four or six and they can figure out a plan with us on how to quit smoking altogether.

"I think one of the reasons for failure is that most people try to do it alone and that's very difficult. With peer support, it's shown that success rates rise as much as 27 per cent."

If the need to quit is not enough as an incentive, one lucky registrant will receive a flight for two anywhere in North America.

"Even if you're not interested in quitting at all, come and hear what's out there," says Kimmett. "Come and listen to what's available and you might be flying somewhere on a nice trip."

Kimmett says he believes this will be the first initiative of its kind.

"I spoke to Les Hagen and I don't think he had ever heard of anyone trying to get a whole town to quite at once.  Hopefully, other people will be inspired to try it."

Annually, an estimated 45,000 Canadians die from smoke-related illness, says Kimmett.

"It seems really astronomical, but boiling it down, it's even worse. It means 35 people from Cochrane are going to die from smoking-related illnesses this year."

In three decades of serving Cochrane, Kimmett says many of his customers have perished from the deadly addiction. His father had quit 10 to 15 years prior to his death but smoking did eventually catch up with him and he died of lung cancer.

Kimmett has never smoked.

"I hated it," he says. "Oh, I  guess I second-hand smoked from being in the car. I remember having the window rolled down in the backseat at 40 below trying to breathe in some fresh air."

This is not a new initiative for Kimmet who's closing in on 64 years of age. He completed smoking cessation training several years ago and took action.

"At the time, we printed a pamphlet that stated our goal was to have a smoke-free Cochrane by 2020, so I'm running out of time. I'm going to retire so I thought I'd take one last big run at it."

On Monday, Kimmet successfully lobbied town council to proclaim June 15 as "Cochrane Quits Day." Because it did not fit the town's criteria for proclamations, council was required to vote. They supported it unanimously.

Councillor Tara McFadden offered to do something in support of smokers. A nonsmoker, she said she'll quit the consumption of sugar for the day.

"So they're also going to give up something for the day, be it sugar, pop, alcohol, the couch... something to support the smokers."

Kimmet says he appreciates the support of councillors and believes it may encourage some residents to try.

Kimmett and his wife Diane are both retiring this Saturday. In the morning, they are holding a customer appreciation pancake breakfast at Two Pharmacy, 105 100 Grand Boulevard. At 11 a.m., Kimmett will be filling his last prescription before heading to the CLEC to set up for the afternoon. A customer appreciation dance is being held in the evening at the CLEC, featuring the popular country band TC & Company.

"The store and our family have put together a party and all our customers are welcome to come and enjoy the evening."