Press Release
Tobacco users in Northwestern Ontario can join thousands across Ontario in entering the “Driven to Quit Challenge.”
Entrants who quit smoking for the month of March not only will gain a healthier lifestyle, but will be entered to win a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid, one of two $5,000 vacation getaways, and one of seven $2,000 Canadian Tire gift cards.
Northwestern Ontario daily tobacco users can register at www.driventoquit.ca, by calling the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333, or by picking up an entry form at their local Northwestern Health Unit office.
Contest entrants must be age 19 or older. They are required to sign up with a support buddy, who may or may not be a tobacco user.
Buddies of winners each will receive a $250 Canadian Tire gift card.
Eligible participants will be entered into a random draw to take place March 31. Winners will be urine-tested, and their buddies will be consulted to verify their tobacco-free status.
“I had quit several times but would always go back to smoking,” said Gary Ashbee of Atikokan, a 2008 prize winner.
“After the ‘Driven to Quit Challenge,’ I have been able to stay smoke-free,” he added.
The “Driven to Quit Challenge” is hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion. All prizes are sponsored by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Inc., while the Northwestern Health Unit is a partner in promotion.
Last year, 900 smokers from Northwestern Ontario—and more than 26,500 Ontarians in all—were motivated to make a quit attempt through the challenge.
Challenge entrants and their support buddies are encouraged to obtain additional support while attempting to quit.
Self-help materials are available at your local Northwestern Health Unit office, and additional cessation support is provided by the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or www.smokershelpline.ca
