News Release                            For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                     January 19, 2010

Grey Bruce Residents Committing to Quit - The Driven to Quit Challenge

More than 5000 people across Ontario have already committed to quit smoking this March by registering for the fifth annual Driven to Quit Challenge. There is still time for others to join them as registration is open until February 28, 2010. If you register before January 31, 2010, you will be eligible for the early bird prize, a $1,000 MasterCard gift card.

The Driven to Quit Challenge is a health promotion campaign hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society in support of a Smoke-Free Ontario. The Grey Bruce Health Unit is a proud partner in The Challenge.

Ontario adults can enter with a support buddy and pledge to quit smoking or tobacco use this March. Entrants who are successfully smoke-free for the month of March have the chance to win a 2010 Ford Escape hybrid and one of two $5,000 vacation getaways. A $2,000 MasterCard gift card is exclusively reserved for one person in the Southwestern Ontario region. Prizes are generously sponsored by McNeil Consumer Healthcare.

“Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, both for yourself and your family.” says Dr. Hazel Lynn, Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health. “I encourage anyone who smokes to take The Challenge as a first step to better health and well being.”

To register for The Challenge, Ontarians aged 19 and over can visit www.DrivenToQuit.ca. 

The Grey Bruce Health Unit encourages all smokers and tobacco users in the region to show their drive to quit smoking this year. Challenge entrants and their support buddies are encouraged to obtain additional support while attempting to quit. Participants can contact the Health Unit, the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 and www.SmokersHelpline.ca.

For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

-30-

For more information:

Miguelle Mann

Tobacco Team

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1477