Young adults in the KFL&A area are gearing up to better their health for a chance to win $2,500 in the “wouldurather…” contest. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 – and post-secondary students at Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College – can pledge to quit smoking, reduce their smoking, or stay smoke free as part of the contest hosted by KFL&A Public Health and Leave The Back Behind.
“We know more young adults use tobacco than teens or older adults,” said Dave McWilliam, manager, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention with KFL&A Public Health. “Finding ways to help young adult smokers quit is important. The “wouldurather…” contest is a unique way of encouraging young adults to stop or never start using tobacco. Research suggests that about 20 percent of youth who participate in this contest successfully quit smoking and stay smoke free. Those are great returns.”
The “wouldurather…” contest is effective because it is tailored to young adults who smoke daily or socially. It offers smokers three different ways to change their smoking. They can quit smoking all together; they can cut their smoking in half; or they can refrain from smoking any time they are socializing and drinking alcohol.
Non-smokers can also enter the contest by pledging to remain smoke-free. Besides the chance to win great prizes, all contestants receive motivational messages by e-mail and support from a buddy. They also have the option of receiving nicotine replacement therapy, like the patch and gum, for free as a part of this contest.
“It is great to see a contest that will reward young adults for their efforts of not only quitting smoking but also reducing their tobacco use or staying smoke free,” Said McWilliam. “We hope the health benefits of reducing tobacco use along with the cash and other prizes will be a great incentive.”
To participate in the 6-week long contest, young adults in Ontario, including post-secondary students, between the ages of 18 and 29 can sign up at www.wouldurather.ca from December 1, 2013 until January 26, 2014.
Two $2,500 grand prizes are awarded to two lucky contestants who quit smoking all together. Other prizes include (more!) cash, tuition waivers, and gift cards to community and campus retailers.
Leave The Pack Behind is an age-tailored tobacco control initiative offered year-round in Ontario. Funded by the Government of Ontario, with generous prize support provided by the makers of Thrive and Habitrol, the ”wouldurather…” contest aims to motivate and encourage young adult Ontarians to live tobacco-free.
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Release source: KFL&A Public Health | Photo via Flickr (cc)
