News

SIMCOE, ON, JAN. 15, 2010 – More than 30 local people have already committed to quit smoking this March by registering for the fifth annual Driven to Quit Challenge being promoted by the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit.

Top prize in the challenge is a 2010 Ford Escape hybrid. Two $5,000 vacation getaways and a $2,000 MasterCard gift card can also be won.

“There is ample time for more people to register for the challenge,” said the Health Unit’s Fiaza Siddiqi, Tobacco Use Prevention Health Promoter. “Registration is open until Feb. 28. If you register before Jan. 31, you will also be eligible for the early bird prize, a $1,000 MasterCard gift card.”

The Driven to Quit Challenge is a health promotion campaign hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society in support of a smoke-free Ontario. Ontario adults enter with a support buddy and pledge to quit smoking or quit other tobacco use during the month of March. Entrants who remain smoke free for the month have the chance to win the new automobile or one of the other prizes. Prizes are sponsored by McNeil Consumer Healthcare.

“Quitting smoking takes practice and often smokers go through several quit attempts before they quit smoking for good,” Siddiqi said. “The Health Unit is encouraging all smokers and tobacco users in our area to make use of this program to help them quit smoking this year.”

Ontarians aged 19 and over can register online, or print a hard copy of the entry form, by visitingwww.DrivenToQuit.ca. Alternatively, people can contact the Health Unit for a form by calling extension 3248 at either 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623. Challenge entrants and their support buddies are encouraged to obtain additional support in attempting to quit by contacting the Health Unit. Additional support is provided by the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 andwww.SmokersHelpline.ca.

-30-

Media Contact:
Fiaza Siddiqi
Tobacco Use Prevention Health Promoter
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
519-426-6170 Ext. 3248 or 905-318-6623 Ext. 3248