This National Non-Smoking Week your Health Unit is encouraging tobacco users to quit for the chance to win a new car or cash prizes. Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ontario, killing 13,000 people annually or 36 people a day. On an average, it can take 30 times to quit successfully. However, accessing quit smoking services and supports can help increase a smoker’s chance of becoming tobacco-free.
Currently there are two opportunities for quitters to win in Ontario. One the Canadian Cancer Society’s Driven to Quit Challenge, where if participants stay smoke-free for the month of March, they will be eligible to win one of three 2015 vehicles, or one of seven $1,000 cash prizes. The other one is Leave the Pack Behind’s annual “wouldurather” contest designed specifically for young adults. It has two grand prizes of $2,500 that will be awarded to randomly-selected contestants who have successfully quit smoking. Other prizes such as cash, tuition waivers, and gift cards to community and campus retailers can be won by contestants who choose to reduce their smoking by half, refrain from smoking when drinking alcohol, or stay smoke-free. This contest is open to Ontario young adults between the ages of 18-29 and registered students at publically-funded Ontario universities and colleges.
Details regarding Driven to Quit Challenge can be found at www.DrivenToQuit.ca and the wouldurather contest can details are available at www.wouldurather.ca.
