Health News For South West
Friday, January 15, 2016
Grey Bruce Health Unit
National Non-Smoking Week launches 'wouldurather...' contest
wouldurather..., a contest for young adults in Grey Bruce aimed at supporting them to quit smoking, reduce their smoking, or just stay smoke-free returns for 2016. The contest offers a change to win one of eight cash prizes of up to $2,500.
The six-week contest targets the high rates of smoking around young adults 18-29 years old; 21 percent of young adults smoke compared to 13 percent of the general population.
Last year, more than 13,000 young adults across Ontario entered the contest. Even just entering improves someone's chances of quitting. Research shows that up to 20 percent of those who participate in wouldurather...will quit smoking. Without the contest, only about 5 percent would be successful.
"I wanted to quit smoking, but it was a lot easier said than done," says Denise Mahoney, a student at Lakehead University and one of the $2,500 winners in the 2015 contest. "I had almost given up until I stumbled upon wouldurather... "The first few days were the hardest, but I wouldn't have done it without wouldurather... and my friend Kalen who also quit and pushed me into participating. Now I'm positive I'll be able to stay smoke-free."
Because not everyone is ready to quit right now, wouldurather... offers the opportunity to choose from one of four categories: quit smoking all together, Quit for Good; cut their smoking in half, Keep the Count; not smoke when socializing and drinking alcohol, Party Without the Smoke; or for non-smokers and ex-smokers, pledging to stay smoke-free, Don't Start and Win. Contestants receive regular support emails tailored to their contest goal. Contestants also identify a 'buddy' who will support them during the contest.
To take part, sign up before midnight January 24 at www.wouldurather.ca. The six-week contest starts January 25. Ontario young adults between the ages of 18-29 or anyone enrolled at a publicly funded post-secondary institution can enter.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is hosting the annual wouldurather... contest in partnership with the provincial organization Leave The Pack Behind, an age-tailored tobacco control initiative offered year-round in Ontario. The contest is funded by the Government of Ontario with prize support provided by the makers of Thrive and Habitrol.
Media Contacts:
Beth Karrow
Public Health Nurse
Tobacco Program
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext 2231
b.karrow@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
Lindsay Taylor
Assistant Manager, Communications
Leave The Pack Behind
905-688-5550 ext 5838
ltaylor2@brocku.ca
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