Every year, half of all Canadian smokers attempt to quit smoking, hoping to join the more than 3.8 million Ontarians who are already former smokers. Quitting smoking can be challenging.
To get a head start, enter the 2008 Driven to Quit Challenge, hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. It's your chance to win the grand prize - a 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid. Additional regional prizes include seven $3,000 Future Shop gift certificates. For residents of the City of Toronto who enter, there's also a chance to win a one year Metropass.
Registration runs until Feb. 29. Contestants must remain smoke-free for the entire month of March, and prize winners will be announced in April.
For more information or to register, visit the Driven to Quit Challenge website at www.driventoquit.ca or call the Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600. For quit smoking tips, visit the Toronto Public Health website at www.toronto.ca/health.
Most people quitting for the first time try to do it on their own. However, smokers who use effective services to support their quit attempts are more likely to be successful in breaking their addiction to nicotine. Support from employers and co-workers can make a difference.
Workplaces can promote the Driven to Quit Challenge in a variety of ways, including distributing promotional messages through pay envelope enclosures, notice boards, internal mail and the company intranet. Inviting successful quitters to share their personal testimonials may provide an incentive to those considering quitting to make an attempt.
Encouraging smokers to use the services of the Canadian Cancer Society's Smokers' Helpline is also important. Smokers who use such services (advice, counselling and personalized quit plans) increase their chance of quitting successfully.
Employers can enhance their staff members' ability to become successful quitters. Providing options such as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling, reimbursement for nicotine replacement therapy and prescription medications (e.g. Zyban and Champix) in employee benefit packages is a tangible and effective strategy for making smoke-free living possible for all employees.
In 2007, almost 5,000 Toronto smokers and more than 27,000 Ontario smokers joined the Driven to Quit Challenge.
Ontario has successfully held quit smoking contests since 2000, since evidence confirms that contests motivate people and increase quit attempts. Up to 30 per cent of smokers who were smoke-free for the quit month remained smoke-free one year later.
Smoking costs the Ontario economy $2.6 billion in lost productivity each year (Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, 2005). The average additional annual cost to an employer of employing a person who smokes has been estimated to be $3,396 (Conference Board of Canada, 2006).
Organizations seeking to remain competitive in today's global economy should consider addressing the issue of tobacco use among employees. Ultimately, improving employee health will benefit organizational productivity and performance. Workplace wellness initiatives positively influence workers' health behaviours. In addition, since May 31, 2006, smoking in workplaces and enclosed public spaces has been banned in Ontario. So, right now is the best time to butt out.
- Toronto Public Health