wouldurather…, a contest for young adults in Grey Bruce aimed at supporting them to quit smoking, reduce their smoking, or just stay smoke-free returns for 2016. The contest offers a chance to win one of eight cash prizes of up to $2,500.

The six-week contest targets the high rates of smoking among young adults 18-29 years old; 21 percent of young adults smoke compared to 13 percent of the general population.

Last year, more than 13,000 young adults across Ontario entered the contest. Even just entering improves someone’s chances of quitting. Research shows that up to 20 percent of those who participate in wouldurather… will quit smoking. Without the contest, only about five percent would be successful.

“I wanted to quit, but it was a lot easier said than done,” said Denis Mahoney, a student at Lakehead University, and one of the $2,500 winners in the 2015 contest. “I had almost given up until I stumbled upon wouldurather… The first few days were the hardest, but I wouldn’t have done it without wouldurather...”

Because not everyone is ready to quit right now, wouldurather… offers the opportunity to choose from one of four categories: quit smoking all together, ‘Quit For Good’; cut their smoking in half, ‘Keep The Count’; not smoke when socializing and drinking alcohol, ‘Party Without The Smoke’; or for non-smokers and ex-smokers, pledging to stay smoke-free, ‘Don’t Start and Win’. Contestants receive regular support emails tailored to their contest goal. Contestants also identify a ‘buddy’ who will support them during the contest.

To take part, sign up before midnight January 24 at www.wouldurather.ca. The six-week contest starts January 25. Ontario young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 or anyone enrolled at a publicly funded post-secondary institution can enter.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit is hosting the annual wouldurather... contest in partnership with the provincial organization Leave The Pack Behind, an age-tailored tobacco control initiative offered year-round in Ontario. The contest is funded by the Government of Ontario with prize support provided by the makers of Thrive and Habitrol,