Monday, January 16, 2012
County of Oxford - Public Health and Emergency Services
National Non-Smoking Week Acknowledges Breaking Up is Hard to Do
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 and Emergency Services
Media Contact:
Melissa Poulin
Communication and New Media Specialist
519 539-9800 ext 3505
Mobile: 519 608-3404
mpoulin@oxfordcounty.ca
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