Canadian Cancer Society’s Driven to Quit Challenge returns with an innovative approach to engage friends and family
In a recent survey commissioned by the Canadian Cancer Society and conducted by Environics, 73% of ex-smokers in Ontario say that support from family and friends was key to their success at quitting, while 60% of current smokers indicate that support from various sources would motivate them to quit.
The survey also revealed that 31% of current smokers have tried to quit more than 5 times, as compared to 18% of ex-smokers, which suggests that over the years, smokers are finding it increasingly difficult to quit and therefore need support now more than ever to help them break their addiction.
Recognizing the importance of support, the Canadian Cancer Society encourages Ontario tobacco users to join the Driven to Quit Challenge, presented by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., the makers of NICODERM® and NICORETTE®. The Challenge is a campaign that is intended to motivate adult Ontario tobacco users to quit smoking or other forms of tobacco for the month of March with the help of a support “buddy” for their chance to win a grand prize of a car and other cash prizes. Registered support buddies are also eligible to win a prize. Since 2006, The Challenge has inspired more than 202,500 quit attempts, with over 37,000 during the 2012 Challenge alone.
“We are thrilled to launch Driven to Quit this year with a focus on engaging not only the smoker, but family and friends as well,” says John Atkinson, Director, Tobacco Control and Cancer Prevention, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. “Firstly, 64% of current smokers say that they are more likely to quit if family or friends who smoke also quit, it’s time for everyone to take the leap and quit together!”
“Second, family and friends who are non-smokers can also be part of The Challenge by encouraging smokers to register and by signing up to be their support buddy. They can also pledge their support with a financial donation to the Canadian Cancer Society,” says Atkinson. “With support resources such as the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline and our new approach to engage family and friends, Driven to Quit aims to motivate and inspire smokers in Ontario to quit for good.”
New features this year include the ability for quitters to develop a profile page on www.DrivenToQuit.ca where they can access e-mail templates and social media sharing tools to make a public declaration of their quit intention with family and friends, and ask for their support through pledge donations.
In addition, other research2 has demonstrated that quitters who use nicotine replacement therapy like patches, gums, inhalers, lozenges or sprays are twice as likely to succeed as those who do not. Therefore, everyone who registers for the Driven to Quit Challenge is eligible to receive discount coupons towards NICODERM® or NICORETTE® quit aids that can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription.
“McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., makers of NICODERM® and NICORETTE® Nicotine Replacement products has been a proud sponsor of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Driven to Quit Challenge since 2006 and we are pleased to confirm that we are supporting the Challenge again in 2014,” noted Krista Scaldwell, Vice-President, Communications and Government Affairs. “Our commitment is to provide smokers with clinically proven, safe and effective nicotine replacement products in a broad choice of formats to support each individual’s personal journey to becoming tobacco and nicotine free. Congratulations to everyone who is participating in this Challenge and taking an important step in improving their health and wellness.” Registration for The Driven to Quit Challenge is open until February 28, 2014. To register and for more details about The Driven to Quit Challenge, go to www.DrivenToQuit.ca or call the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333.
