BC Lung Association Director Challenges Nelson Smokers to Quit for 1 Day and Win
By Contributor
British Columbia has the lowest smoking rate in Canada – just 14.3%. However, the BC Lung Association believes we can do better, and is calling on the 500,000 British Columbians who continue to smoke to quit for 24 hours by signing up for the Tobacco Free Tuesday challenge on June 7th.
Held on the first Tuesday of every month, Tobacco-Free Tuesdays provides aspiring quitters the challenge and incentive to quit smoking for 24 hours for their chance to win $250 cash – about the equivalent a pack-a-day smoker will save a month by quitting.
The challenge is open to all British Columbians who are current or recently-quit smokers and 19 years or older.
“The biggest hurdle for many smokers is getting started. Tobacco Free Tuesdays takes away that barrier – it helps remove the doubt and anxiety just long enough that people are able to prove to themselves that they can quit,” says Michael Jessen, BC Lung Association Volunteer Director for Nelson.
By providing the incentive and added one-on-one support through QuitNow’s coaching tools, the Tobacco Free Tuesday challenge has helped British Columbians quit smoking for over a year. Our exit survey of over 1500 participants shows that even among daily smokers, there is an 87% success rate.
What’s even more impressive, is that of those who make it through that first day, almost 80% keep going for a second day once the challenge is over. A further 38% are still smoke-free a week later.
“If you know someone who could use a bit of an extra nudge to help them quit smoking, refer them to Tobacco Free Tuesdays at https://www.quitnow.ca/contest,” says Jessen. “There’s no catch, this challenge is all about helping to turn a plan into action, and a whole new smoke-free life!”
The Tobacco Free Tuesday Challenge is operated by the BC Lung Association and made possible through grant funding by the BC Ministry of Health, and corporate cash prize sponsors.
Photo Caption: Michael Jessen, BC Lung Association Volunteer Director with QuitNow’s Louise Mott encourages Nelson citizens who smoke to commit to quit for 24 hours for a chance to win $250.
