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In The 'Nic-O-Time' Challenge

This page was reviewed or revised on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:56 AM

Sarnia, ON – Not every teen between 14-19 years of age who enters the In The Nic-O-Time Challenge will win a prize, but for participants who want to quit tobacco, cut back, or pledge to stay tobacco-free, the ultimate prize is a healthier life.

The second annual Challenge, presented by the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department and the Southwest Tobacco Control Area Network, offers incentives to encourage three levels of participation:

• Ready to quit
• Ready to reduce
• Never start

Participants, who keep their commitment for the month of March, will be eligible to win a number of prizes, including a $200 gift card and a $1000 grand prize. Deadline to register is February 29. Full contest details and registration are available online at www.quit2win.ca.

"The tobacco industry markets its products to young people by making tobacco use look attractive," says Becky Wellington-Horner, Health Promoter with the Community Health Services Department. "Once teens are hooked, overcoming the addiction can be hard, and that's why it’s critical to never start using tobacco products."

Wellington-Horner says the Challenge isn't just about quitting, "It’s also about reaching out to youth who have never used tobacco and encouraging them to stay tobacco-free, and that includes cigarettes, chew, cigars, cigarillos or hookah."

Across Southwestern Ontario, about 7,700 youth, aged 12-18 years smoked in the past month. About 44,000 Canadians die every year from tobacco-related illness.

For more information about the Nic-O-Time Challenge, or if you want to support the challenge at school or in the community, call 519 344-2062 ext. 2167, toll free 1-800-387-2822 or visit www.lambtonhealth.on.ca.

For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.

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Contact:

Becky Wellington-Horner
Health Promoter
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 344-2062 ext. 2167
email: becky.wellington-horner@county-lambton.on.ca