Two men from northern BC have won $2,500 cash from the BC Lung Association after committing to quit smoking for a week in early February. Joey Utz from Smithers and Doug Stewart from Chetwynd were randomly selected as winners from the over 850 men that participated in the Cold Turkey No More campaign that was run by the BC Lung Association in partnership with Northern Health.
The campaign, which ran from February 1 to 7, 2015, challenged BC men to make a seven-day quit attempt. It was part of the larger launch to QuitNowMen – a website specifically developed for men that has a variety of tools and tactics to help guys quit.
"The seven days was frustrating; however, I've wanted to quit for quite a while and the contest kept me motivated," said Utz "now that the first week is over I have already noticed a difference in my health and this will definitely keep me going."
“Winning the cash prize is really exciting, but myself and my family are the real winners as it will help me live a healthier life,” said Stewart. “I would encourage anyone trying to quit to give it your best shot. You might not be successful the first time, but persistence will pay off.”
Cold Turkey No More was open to all residents of BC, but the marketing was focused on northern BC men because tobacco use rates are generally higher among men and, specifically, in northern BC. Research tells us that as many as 70 per cent of smokers want to quit and that the success rate for quitting increases the more attempts an individual makes. The contest served as motivation for smokers to set a date and make a serious attempt to quit smoking.
“The goal is to engage men where they’re at right now and encourage them to take steps to improve their health today and for the long term,” said Jack Boomer, Director of QuitNow, BC Lung Association. “We are so proud of them for taking this challenge on and having this accomplishment. We are also happy that we were able to help them with QuitNowMen.”
The province of BC's Smoking Cessation program provides up to 12 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy products at no cost, or PharmaCare coverage of prescription drugs for British Columbians wanting to quit smoking. For more information, please call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1. Since the Smoking Cessation program was launched on Sept. 30, 2011, approximately 323,405 orders for nicotine replacement therapies have been placed.
“If you are a smoker, quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health,” said Dr. Sandra Allison, Chief Medical Health Officer, Northern Health. “As a partner in the promotion of this contest, we want to congratulate these men on their commitment.”
Northern Health is also promoting and supporting people to quit through partnerships for a Smoke Free Games during the 2015 Canada Winter Games, the stop smoking before surgery program, and our tobacco reduction team. Learn more about smoking and tobacco reduction.
About QuitNowMen
The BC Lung Association developed QuitNowMen together with a University of British Columbia research group committed to finding original ways to support young families in their efforts to become tobacco-free (FACET - Families Controlling and Eliminating Tobacco). Funding for the site was provided by the Canadian Cancer Society (Grant #701615) and the BC Ministry of Health.
The BC Lung Association & QuitNow
The BC Lung Association has been dedicated to improving lung health for more than a century and remains committed to helping smokers quit and ensuring children never start. QuitNow is a province-wide quit smoking support resource managed by the BC Lung Association and funded by the BC Ministry of Health.
Media Contacts:
Northern Health media line: 250 961-7724
Katrina van Bylandt, BC Lung Association: 1-800-665-5864