January 16, 2012  

National Non-Smoking Week acknowledges breaking up is hard to do

Oxford County Public Health sweetens the deal for quitters

NEWS

Today marks the start of National Non-Smoking Week in Canada and the 2012 theme is “Breaking up is hard to do.” While kicking a tobacco addiction is not easy, Oxford County residents can gain some extra motivation with the seventh annual Driven to Quit Challenge, which is open until February 29. 

Tobacco addiction resembles a dependent relationship according to the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control, which has been hosting National Non-Smoking Week for more than three decades. They are encouraging Canadians to kiss tobacco goodbye this week.

As a reward for breaking free from tobacco, Oxford County Public Health & Emergency Services is reminding those who quit that they can win their choice of a 2012 Ford Fusion or Ford Edge in the Canadian Cancer Society Driven to Quit Challenge. There are also two $5,000 CAA travel vouchers and seven $2,000 cash prizes to be won. 

Ontarians aged 19 and older, who had smoked for at least 10 months in the year 2011, can enter. Each entrant must sign up with a support buddy, who stands to win $200 cash. To be eligible for the prize draw, participants must stay smoke-free for all of March 2012.

The Driven to Quit Challenge community can be found online at facebook.com/smokershelpline and twitter.com/smokershelpline.

To register and for details about The Driven to Quit Challenge, Ontarians can go to www.DrivenToQuit.ca or call the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline at 1 877 513-5333.

QUOTES

“The biggest help was being online on Facebook, reading comments, getting feedback from other people quitting. Being able to form relationships with other people who understand what you are going though is a big help.”

-       Brian Perkins, 2011 Driven to Quit Challenge grand prize winner and who is still smoke-free after 30 years of smoking.

 “We can help Oxford County residents to become smoke-free through one-on-one counseling and other resources. One of the most important steps in quitting is to make a plan that works for you and we can help with that.”

-       Lee-Anne Countryman, Public Health Nurse, Oxford County Public Health & Emergency Services

BACKGROUND

About The Driven to Quit Challenge

The Driven to Quit Challenge is hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, with funding from the Government of Ontario and generous prize support from McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Inc. The Driven to Quit Challenge is presented in collaboration with local public health departments across the province. To register for the Challenge, go to www.driventoquit.ca or call the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline at 1 877 513-5333.

About Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline

Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential service that provides personalized support, advice and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use. Operated by the Canadian Cancer Society and funded by Government of Ontario, Smokers’ Helpline has three ways to help Ontarians quit: phone support, online program and text messaging at 1 877 513-5333 and SmokersHelpline.ca.

ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH & EMERGENCY SERVICES  Oxford County Public Health & Emergency Services seeks to promote and protect the health of Oxford County’s more than 100,000 residents. The department’s services include family health, immunization, healthy living, infectious disease prevention, sexual health, environmental health, emergency services, and other programs that support healthy behaviours in a healthy environment. For more information, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/health or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oxfordcountypublichealth.

Media contact:

Melissa Poulin -  Communication & New Media Specialist    

Tel: 519 539-9800, ext. 3505 Mobile: 519 608-3404  - mpoulin@oxfordcounty.ca