London, ON – The number of participants continues to grow as more and more smokers across London and Middlesex County sign up for the annual Driven to Quit Challenge. With just over a week to go before registration closes at midnight on Wednesday, February 29th, now is the time to act if you’ve been thinking about quitting your tobacco addiction. Not only could you end up with a great prize, you’ll ultimately triumph in winning your health back.
“A decision to give up tobacco is a huge step in gaining control over a powerful addiction; with its chance to win a car, vacation packages, or cash, the Driven to Quit Challenge can be that extra incentive for anyone at the start of their quit attempt,” says Linda Stobo, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control Manager, at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “Once you get rid of tobacco, the health benefits can come quickly. Even within a month of quitting, your circulation improves and lung functioning may increase, providing a great start to the rest of your life tobacco-free.”
The Driven to Quit Challenge is hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, with funding from the Government of Ontario and prize support from McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Inc. and health units across Ontario including the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
By registering for the Driven to Quit Challenge, adult Ontario smokers who stay tobacco-free for the month of March can win the grand prize: their choice of a new Ford Fusion hybrid or Ford Edge. Those who commit to staying tobacco-free may also find themselves taking a $5,000 vacation getaway or winning $2,000 in cash. Prize winners will be draw at random from all entrants on Sunday, April 1.
Last year, 1,667 people from across the Middlesex-London region signed up for The Driven to Quit Challenge, while more than 36,000 took The Challenge province-wide.
To register and for details about The Driven to Quit Challenge, visit www.driventoquit.ca or call the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline at 1 877 513-5333.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext.2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Linda Stobo, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit