The BC Lung Association is challenging wannabe quitters to take a breather and quit smoking for 24 hours on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
The organization is also offering a $250 cash prize as an extra incentive (the winner will be randomly drawn).
There's no catch. The BC Lung Association simply wants as many British Columbians to quit smoking as possible, and they know that while most smokers want to quit, it can still be difficult finding the motivation to finally go for it.
That's what the BC Lung Association’s Tobacco Free Tuesdays challenge is all about: the extra nudge needed to turn a plan into action, and a whole new smoke-free life.
Held on the first Tuesday of every month, the monthly quit-and-win contest is hosted online at quitnow.ca – home to a range of free quit-smoking support services funded by the Ministry of Health and managed by the BC Lung Association.
“We encourage everyone who is thinking of quitting, trying to stay quit, and wanting to help others quit, to get involved or spread the word,” said Gary Chapple, BC Lung Association volunteer director for the Abbotsford area.
How easy is it? For people trying to overcome addiction to nicotine, not very. But it can be done.
“Quitting smoking can be challenging because of the addictive properties of nicotine – which is as addictive as heroin or cocaine,” said Jack Boomer, BC Lung Association director for QuitNow.
“Most people who smoke, and want to quit, will try multiple times before they stay quit for good. That’s normal. We want to help people keep on trying because if they do, they’ll ultimately succeed.”
QuitNow offers quit-smoking tools and support free of charge to all British Columbians. And together with free nicotine patches, gum and prescription quit medications available through the provincial government’s smoking cessation program (call 811 for details), help to quit options offer something for everyone.