• What is a quit smoking contest?

– a contest to encourage Manitobans to quit smoking or at least make an attempt

- Smokers enter and pledge to quit during the contest quit period

– also raises profile of cessation services

Contest partners

• Manitoba Lung Association• Manitoba Healthy Living, Seniors

and Consumer Affairs

• With thanks to: Loblaws, Drake Health Solutions Inc, Clarke’s Pharmacy in Thompson, Hill’s Drugstore and Hill’s Pharmacy in Portage, and all RHAs.

• How does it work? • People pre-register and pledge to quit during the contest

period

• Who can enter?• Anyone over 18, resident of Manitoba, current smoker or

has quit since August 1, 2011, can be a cigarette, chew, pipe, or cigar smoker. The registrant has to have smoked for a period of a year.

• Are there other rules?• An important one is that registrants must have a buddy, smoker or

non-smoker, who will support them and also validate smoke-free status; the buddy can be a buddy for more than one smoker; buddies can win prizes. Complete rules will be listed on website.

• When is the contest Quit Period?• May 1 at 12:01 until midnight May 31, 2012

• Can the person use aids to quit smoking?

• Yes – we encourage people to use NRT or medication such as Zyban or Champix

• What other supports are available?• Registrants can pick up a Quit Kit, they can call the

Smokers’ Helpline, and they will receive messaging by e-mail throughout the quit period

• How do I register?• www.manitobaquits.ca

• When can I register?• March 27 until midnight on April

30 – register early as there will be early bird prizes

• What are the prizes?• Five prizes of $1,000 cash;

buddies of winners get $200

How will winners be verified?

• Declaration• Buddy will sign a declaration vouching that registrant

was smoke-free during contest period• Urine test/CO Breathalyzer test• Publicity

• Entrants are encouraged to REMAIN smoke-free until winners are verified. It takes a few days to confirm that the “potential” winners who were drawn have remained smoke-free. So even if someone’s name isn’t drawn on June 1 we may need to draw more names until we find 5 winners.

• We need your help to promote the contest:

• Fan out an e-mail to your colleagues, family, friends, enemies, ex-boyfriends, lady next door, associates, clients, patients …

• Put up a poster• Hand out business cards to smokers• Talk it up• Contact your local paper, RHA newsletter*• Possible help with verification of winners*

• www.manitobaquits.ca

• Register March 27 to April 30

• Quit period is May 1 to May 31

• Prize draw June 1