Clarington residents driven to quit PDF Print E-mail

Clarington residents who quit smoking may be find themselves behind the wheel of a new car for their efforts.

The Durham Region Health Department is inviting Clarington and other Durham Region residents who want to quit smoking to enter the Driven to Quit Challenge, a province-wide contest launched this month by the Canadian Cancer Society.

“The New Year is an excellent time to quit smoking and the benefits of quitting go far beyond the chance to win a new car,” said Stephanie Skopyk, a public health nurse with the Health Department.  “Many area residents who smoke are interested in quitting. According to an ongoing Health Department survey, more than half of the adults in Durham Region who smoke plan on quitting within the next six months.”

The Driven to Quit Challenge is designed to encourage adults to quit smoking for the month of March, with the support of a non-smoking quit buddy and the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline. All participants who remain smoke-free for the month of March will be eligible to win a Ford Escape Hybrid, one of two vacation getaways or one of seven regional prizes.

“Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ontario and quitting smoking is one of the best steps a person can take to improve their health,” said Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “Although quitting isn’t easy, there are ways to improve your chances of quitting. This contest is just one incentive to help people. We also encourage participants to talk to their healthcare provider about other proven strategies such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).”

The Driven to Quit Challenge is for residents of Ontario who are 19 or older and currently smoke. Individuals can register for the contest until Feb. 28 at www.driventoquit.ca.

For more information on the Driven to Quit Challenge or other Health Department smoking cessation resources, please call Durham Health Connection Line at 905-666-6241 or 1-800-841-2729 or visit www.durham.ca.
Last Updated ( Monday, 01 February 2010 15:58 )