Monday, February 23, 2015
Grey Bruce Health Unit
Last Chance to Quit Smoking for a Chance to Win a Car
With new regulations banning smoking on patios, playgrounds and sport fields, there’s never been a better time to quit than right now.
It often takes multiple quit attempts before a smoker quits for good,” says Beth Karrow, Public Health Nurse. “Programs like the Driven to Quit Challenge help motivate people to make that quit attempt and provide access to support that can help increase a smoker’s chance of becoming tobacco-free.”
The Driven to Quit Challenge is a health promotion campaign run by the Canadian Cancer Society. It is intended to motivate adult Ontario tobacco users to quit smoking or other forms of tobacco for the month of March for their chance to win a car or cash prizes. Research shows that if smokers can stop smoking for one month, they are five times more likely to be able to remain smoke-free for good1.
Challenge participants are encouraged to take advantage of Smokers’ Helpline and all registrants receive discount coupons towards the purchase of nicotine replacement therapy. Smokers’ Helpline is a service that provides free, non-judgmental support, advice and information about quitting smoking. Highly trained quit coaches can help smokers create a personalized quit plan and share proven strategies for quitting successfully. Research shows that support from a quitline like Smoker’s Helpline, combined with medication such as nicotine replacement therapy can more than triple the chances of a smoker quitting successfully2.
Another element that can affect someone’s ability to quit successfully is the support of friends and family. People who register for the Challenge with a support buddy can double their chances of winning and support buddies can win prizes making it enticing to encourage a friend or family member to enter.
For more information on local quit-smoking support services, please contact the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 519-376-9420 ext 1212 or www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca. To register for the Driven to Quit Challenge, please visit www.DrivenToQuit.ca or call Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333.
About the Driven to Quit Challenge
The Driven to Quit Challenge is a health promotion campaign intended to motivate adult Ontario tobacco users to quit smoking or other forms of tobacco for one month with the help of a support “buddy” for their chance to win a grand prize of a car. Participants are encouraged to access Smokers’ Helpline and Smokers’ Helpline Online for cessation support. To claim a prize, selected winners must demonstrate that they have remained tobacco-free for the month of March 2014. McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., presents the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, Driven to Quit Challenge.
About the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline
Smokers’ Helpline is a service that provides free, personalized, non-judgmental support, advice and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use. Operated by the Canadian Cancer Society and funded by the Government of Ontario, Smokers’ Helpline offers support by telephone, online and text messaging. To learn more, call 1-877-513- 5333 or the number on cigarette packages or visit SmokersHelpline.ca.
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 or visit our website www.cancer.ca.
1 West, R, Stapleton, J., Clinical and public health significance of treatments to aid smoking cessation. European Respiratory Review, December 1, 2008 vol. 17 no. 110 199-204.
2 Fiore, MC, et al., Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update—Clinical Practice Guideline, U.S. Public Health Service, May 2008.
Media Contact:
Beth Karrow
Public Health Nurse
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext 2231
b.karrow@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
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