London, ON – The annual National Non-Smoking Week kicked off yesterday and continues until Saturday, January 24th. This year, the Middlesex-London Health Unit encourages those who use tobacco to make this the year they break free from their addiction. The Canadian Cancer Society’s Driven to Quit Challenge and Leave the Pack Behind’s wouldurather… contest, are among the resources that can lead to successful quit attempts.
To take part in the annual Driven to Quit Challenge, regular tobacco users 19 and older must pledge to remain tobacco-free for the month of March. The names of those who stay tobacco-free will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a Toyota Corolla, a Nissan Sentra or a Scion tC; or one of seven, $1,000 cash prizes. The deadline to sign up is Saturday, February 28th; register at www.driventoquit.ca.
wouldurather… is open to young adults between the ages of 18 and 29, who choose to quit completely, reduce their smoking by half, refrain from smoking when partying or socializing with friends, or commit to staying smoke-free. Two $2,500 cash prizes will be awarded to randomly-selected contestants who quit completely. Other prizes are available for those who choose to reduce smoking or stay smoke-free such as cash, tuition waivers, and gift cards to community and campus retailers. Eligible participants can also receive eight weeks of free nicotine patches or gum. To register, sign up at www.wouldurather.ca before Sunday, January 25th at midnight.
Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ontario, killing 13,000 people annually or 36 people a day. Quitting tobacco is a process, not an event, and it may take several attempts before someone can quit successfully. Accessing quit-smoking services and supports will help increase an individual’s chances of becoming and remaining tobacco-free.
“These initiatives are great ways to support people across Middlesex-London with their quit attempt,” says Sarah Neil, Public Health Nurse. “wouldurather… provides its contestants with motivational emails and support from a buddy, while the Driven to Quit Challenge offers an online quit centre and access to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline.”
For more information on quit-smoking supports and services available during National Non-Smoking Week, including a workshop Wednesday January 21st, contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit Quit Clinic at 519-663-5317 ext. HELP (4357).
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 extension 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Sarah Neil, Public Health Nurse, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control