News Release       For Immediate Release

            January 7, 2005

Everybody loves a quitter

If you are tired of being left out in the cold because you smoke, then the Ontario Quit Smoking 2005 Contest offers a great incentive to help you kick the habit.  How about revving up the New Year in the car of old that’s new again: a 2005 Ford Mustang?  Other big prizes are available too.

“The contest is for daily smokers who are thinking about quitting,’” says Helen Risteen, Public Health Nurse and Chairperson of the Quit Smoking Contest Planning Team. “Many smokers have tried to quit before; the contest gives them an added incentive to try again.  Last year we had 16,567 smokers and their buddies enter the contest.  We’re aiming to beat that number in 2005.”

The contest is based on research showing that smokers go through numerous stages before successfully quitting. Signing up for the contest in January gives people who smoke time to mentally and physically prepare to butt out February 1 for at least one month.

Make a plan. Preparation is a key to success. Contest entrants are encouraged to talk to their doctor about products and medications that help cut the cravings, as well as their local health unit, or other healthcare organizations, about self-help materials. The Ontario Smokers’ Helpline is a free telephone service providing information, advice and support to smokers. 

Find a buddy. Quitting isn’t easy and knowing that someone is there to support you could make a big difference. Participants must enlist the help of a buddy to help keep them on track when the going gets tough. The buddy is also eligible to win a $250 prize.

Register. For an entry form, more information, or help getting started visit the contest website at www.quitsmokingontario.ca. Entry forms are also available at the Public Health Unit offices in Owen Sound and Walkerton.  The Quit Smoking 2005 Contest is open to all Ontario residents who are daily smokers, 19 years of age or older. Entries must be received by midnight January 31 and smokers must remain smoke free from February 1 to March 1 inclusive to qualify for the prizes. Winners will be randomly drawn on March 1, 2005 and announced in mid-March.

“There are great incentives to quit smoking, none more important than your own.  We hope that the chance to win a brand new Ford Mustang, or one of seven regional prizes, will ignite you in your efforts to quit. Too often smokers don’t take the time they need to think about why they smoke, why they want to quit and how they will cope with the urges and pressures to smoke that will most definitely occur. By entering the contest now, smokers are taking those important first steps,” says Risteen.  “Quitting isn’t easy but you’ll love how you feel and so will your family and friends.  In this case everyone loves a quitter.”

The Quit Smoking 2005 Contest is funded in part by Health Canada and is supported by more than 70 local councils on smoking and health and public health units throughout Ontario, with support from Pfizer Canada Inc. - Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Division.

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For more information:

Helen Risteen, Public Health Nurse

Chairperson of the Quit Smoking Contest Planning Team

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 881-1920