Back to SearchKingston, ON - KFL&A Public Health, in partnership with the provincial organization Leave the Pack Behind, is offering young adults in Ontario between the ages of 18 and 29 a chance to win one of two grand prizes of $2500 cash to quit smoking through the WouldURather… contest.
Young adults have the highest prevalence of smoking than any other age group in our province. WouldURather… is a 6-week program with the goal to reduce high rates of smoking among young adults in Ontario. There are additional cash prizes to be won for those who reduce their smoking or remain smoke-free.
Not everyone is ready to quit smoking, so the WouldURather… contest lets people choose from one of four categories. Young adults can choose to quit completely in “Quit for Good” or cut back in “Keep the Count”, and “Party Without the Smoke”. Non-smokers or ex-smokers can enter the contest in the “Don’t Start and Win” category, by pledging to stay smoke-free.
“The WouldURather…contest helps hundreds of young adults throughout the province quit smoking, cut back on the number of cigarettes they smoke or remain smoke-free,” said Nicole Szumlanski, RN, Public Health Nurse. “The contest is tailored to young adults and encourages the support from a friend or family member to help the person stay motivated and on track. It’s free to enter and there’s a chance to win cash prizes as well,” she said.
Evaluation results show that 1 in 5 Leave the Pack Behind contestants who signed up to quit for good were smoke-free three months after the contest start date, and of those who did not quit 86% were on the path to quitting by significantly reducing their smoking. The contest is successful through providing motivation to be part of a community of people all trying to be healthier. Contestants receive positive e-mails and get access to other resources that boost chances of quitting even more!
WouldURather… is available to all young adults ages 18 to 29 who are residents of Ontario. Registration is open online from November 15, 2017 to January 28, 2018, and runs from January 29, 2018 to March 11, 2018.
Leave the Pack Behind (LTPB) is an age-tailored, comprehensive tobacco control initiative offered year-round for young adults in Ontario. LTPB provides free, easily accessible do-it-yourself programs and services that have been developed for young adults and have been proven to be successful. Leave the Pack Behind began in 2000 and is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Important dates:
Registration: November 15, 2017 to January 28, 2018
Contest: January 29 to March 11, 2018
Winners announced: March 2018
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