Provincial Quit Smoking Contest

 

The 2005 Quit Smoking Contest invited Ontario smokers to quit by February 1 and to stay smoke-free until at least March 1. Participants had to be at least 19 years old, and enlist the support of a non-smoking “buddy.” 

 

Participants who were successful in quitting for the month had a chance to win a new Ford Mustang and seven ‘surround-sound’ home theatre systems.

 

In Renfrew County and District, the Quit Smoking contest was promoted through posters, newspaper ads, newspaper articles and radio public service announcements. It was also promoted in the winter edition of the Health Unit’s newsletter for workplaces. Contest brochures were sent to health care providers, pharmacies, resource centers, workplaces, social service agencies, libraries and other places in the community.  “Quit Kits” were distributed to people as requested.

 

• 19,009 people from across Ontario entered the contest.
• Their average age was 37 years; half were male and half were female. 
• On average, participants had been smoking 18 cigarettes a day for about 20 years.
• 274 people in Renfrew County and District entered the contest.

 

A survey of previous contest participants found that 30 percent of those who stayed smoke free for the quit month were still smoke free one year later. We wish all the participants success with staying smoke-free.