Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Huron County Health Unit
Huron Residents Signing Up To Butt Out
Over 140 Huron County residents have signed up so far to quit tobacco in the 2012 Ontario Driven to Quit Challenge. That’s twice as many as the same time last year. The deadline for registration is February 29th.
The high registration numbers makes Public Health Nurse Maryanne Turner very happy. “I’m very excited to see so many residents take on this challenge. It’s not easy to quit smoking, so kudos to everyone who has registered and stepped up to the challenge!”
Participants must remain tobacco-free for the month of March to be eligible for a chance to win either a new Ford Fusion Hybrid or Ford Edge, one of two vacation getaways, and one of seven $2,000 cash prizes. Locally, one Huron County participant will win a $350 Visa gift card.
People can register until the end of February at www.driventoquit.ca or call the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline at 1 877 513-5333.
To enter you must be 19 or older and have used tobacco at least once a week for most of the past year. That includes smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, or using chew tobacco. Participants must also find a buddy who will support you in your quit attempt.
To stay healthy and tobacco-free, Turner offers the following tips:
Learn your triggers - Figure out when you tend to smoke or use tobacco and then break the connection, change your routine.
Eat healthy – try not to replace cigarettes with food or unhealthy snacks. Follow Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating and have low sugar, low-fat substitutes handy. Drinking lots of water will help reduce the withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
Be physically active – Taking part in some form of physical activity will also help decrease withdrawal symptoms and reduce stress.
Ask for help – Tell your family, friends, co-workers and anyone else who will listen that you are quitting and ask for their support. The Canadian Cancer Society's Smokers' Helpline also provides personalized advice, counselling, and an individualized quit plan, all of which are free by calling 1-877-513-5333 or visit www.smokershelpline.ca.
The Driven to Quit Challenge is hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society and funded by the Ontario Government. All prizes are sponsored by McNeil Consumer Healthcare. The Huron County Health Unit is a partner in the Driven to Quit Challenge.
Media Contact:
Barbara Leavitt
Communications Co-ordinator, Huron County Health Unit
519-482-3416 or toll-free 1-877-837-6143 ext 2289
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