London, ON – The In the Nic-O-Time Challenge is back! The Middlesex-London Health Unit, in partnership with other Southwestern Ontario health units, is urging teens 14 to 19 years old to overcome their tobacco addiction, to commit to cutting their consumption of tobacco products by half, or to stay tobacco-free.

“The tobacco industry markets its products to young people by making tobacco use look attractive. Once teens get hooked, overcoming the addiction can be very hard; that’s why it’s critical to never start using tobacco products in the first place.” says Amy Yateman, Health Promoter with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “Nic-O-Time is not only about quitting, it’s also about reaching out to teens across Southwestern Ontario who have never used tobacco and asking them to make a commitment to stay tobacco-free.”

Youth between 14 and 19 years old who are ready to quit using any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chew, cigars and cigarillos; those who are struggling with their addiction but are ready to reduce their intake; and those who state they won’t use tobacco, all have until February 29th to register for the In the Nic-O-Time Challenge.

Drawing on the winning formula used for the Driven to Quit Challenge aimed at Ontario adults who use tobacco, the Challenge provides those who register with the opportunity to win great prizes. Those who can keep the commitments they make as part of the Challenge for the entire month of March will be eligible to win the grand prize of a $1,000 entertainment or electronic prize package or secondary prizes of a $200 gift card of the winners´ choice. Although not everyone will win a prize, those participating in the Challenge are protecting themselves from a deadly addiction that kills half of those who have it.

There are about 7,700 youth in Southwestern Ontario between the ages of 12 and 18 who have smoked in the last month. The In the Nic-O-Time Challenge encourages them and all others who use other forms of tobacco to attempt to stay tobacco-free for the entire month of March. Full contest details and registration are available at: http://www.quit2win.ca.

The Health Unit is seeking youth to support the Challenge in their school or their community. Those who are interested can contact Amy Yateman at the Health Unit for more information.

You can also follow the In The Nic-O-Time Challenge on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/InTheNicotime; on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/inthenicotime or on Youtube at Nic-O-Time Challenge 2012.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit 519-663-5317 ext.2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell)

Spokesperson:
Amy Yateman, Health Promoter, Youth Engagement, Chronic Disease Prevention & Tobacco Control