Monday, January 18, 2016
Elgin St Thomas Public Health
Young Adult Contest Promoted for National Non-Smoking Week
This week is National Non-Smoking Week and Elgin St Thomas Public health, in partnership with the provincial organization Leave The Pack Behind, is helping promote the annual wouldurather... contest. This contest is for young adults to quit smoking, reduce their smoking, or stay smoke-free! Registrants of the contest will have a chance to win up to $2500.
The six-week contest aims to tackle the high rates of smoking among young adults between the ages of 18-29. Research shows the young adult population has a higher smoking rate than other age groups and oftentimes smoking begins with having a cigarette in a social setting such as a party or while drinking alcohol with friends. The contest aims to encourage these smokers to reconsider their smoking behaviour.
Last year more than 13,000 young adults entered the wouldurather... contest. It helped Denis Mahoney, one of the $2500 winners, to finally quit. Reports Mahoney: "I started off casually, as most smokers do. As soon as I realized I was hooked I wanted to quit, but it was a lot easier said than done. I had almost given up until I stumbled upon wouldurather...I've been 100% smoke-free now for almost 3 months and I'm positive I'll be able to stay smoke-free."
Participants in the wouldurather... contest can choose from one of four categories:
- Quit for Good: to quit smoking all together
- Keep the Count: to cut their smoking in half
- Party Without the Smoke: to refrain from smoking any time they are socializing and drinking
- Don't Start and Win: non-smokers and ex-smokers can also participate by pledging to stay smoke-free.
The contest starts January 25, 2016, and runs for six weeks. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 29, or anyone enrolled at a publicly-funded post-secondary institution can sign up at www.wouldurather.ca. Deadline for entry is this Sunday, January 24.
Young adults registering for the contest who are also interested in accessing the smoking cessation clinic at Elgin St Thomas Public Health can phone 519-631-9900 or email stopsmoking@elginhealth.on.ca.
Media Contact:
Jessica Lang
Health Promoter
519-631-9900 ext 1304
jlang@elginhealth.on.ca
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