Montréal, January 4, 2022 – At a time when many Quebecers still want to stop smoking, the beginning of this year marks the return of the Quit to Win! Challenge to help smokers butt out. The Challenge encourages smokers to commit to not smoking for 6 weeks, from February 7 to March 20, a realistic first goal. To promote this unmissable annual event, the campaign is introducing its new spokesperson, pharmacist Alexandre Chagnon, namely to reach young smokers. Registration is open at quitchallenge.ca.
The campaign’s advertising concept aims to inspire smokers to sign up by using humour to highlight some of the benefits of butting out, including better health, newfound freedom, and significant savings. With its proven approach based on the support it offers and strength in numbers, the Challenge is truly a key ally for all Quebecers who want to quit. The Challenge’s positive and motivating formula is particularly appealing to young adults, who are a priority target of the 2020-2025 Tobacco-Free Quebec Strategy.
Knowing that quitting smoking means overcoming both a physical and a psychological dependence, smokers have everything to gain by relying on different types of support to increase their chances of success. “The Challenge is a remarkable initiative that is an invaluable tool in our collective fight against tobacco use. We must continue to redouble our efforts to encourage more Quebecers to quit smoking and support them in this brave decision. I thank the entire team behind the Challenge; your dedication to this important cause is admirable,” says Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services.
Breaking free from tobacco is difficult and often takes several attempts. This is why smokers are encouraged to see a health professional who can support them in their preparation, namely by helping them choose the treatment that is right for them, but also during and after quitting. It was therefore only natural for the Challenge to recruit a pharmacist as its new spokesperson, and it found the perfect fit in Alexandre Chagnon. Often featured on the radio as a health contributor as well as in several publications, he urges Quebec smokers to sign up for the Quit to Win! Challenge to butt out and enjoy the benefits of quitting.
“Quitting smoking is a powerful action that contributes to preventing health problems such as certain cancers and heart and lung diseases. As pharmacists and local professionals, we can play a key role to support smokers at every step of their smoking cessation journey. This therefore goes beyond simply prescribing treatments! Moreover, thanks to its social media presence, the Challenge is perfectly suited to reach young adults, a target group at the heart of my professional activities,” explains pharmacist Alexandre Chagnon, an expert in digital health and director of the digital health technology program at Laval University.
To better reach young smokers, the Challenge is proud to expand its promotional and support efforts this year on Instagram with original content, including several video clips. Challenge participants also have access to a wide selection of free support tools, such as an online personal profile and a customizable preparation plan at quitchallenge.ca, encouragement emails, a Facebook community as well as the I QUIT NOW helpline (1-866-527-7383), quit smoking centres, the IQUITNOW.QC.CA website, and text message support offered by SMAT. And as a bonus, participants can win prizes, including $5,000 in cash.
Register at quitchallenge.ca before February 7, 2022.
The Quit to Win! Challenge is a province-wide campaign that provides free support to smokers
who want to quit through a collective challenge. Created in 2000 by Capsana, the Challenge is
carried out in partnership with several public and private organizations, including the Ministère
de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Quebec’s Directions régionales de santé publique, the
Canadian Cancer Society, and the Jean Coutu Group. To find out more, visit quitchallenge.ca.
Capsana is a social enterprise owned by the ÉPIC Foundation, which is associated with the
Montreal Heart Institute, and the Fondation PSI. Its mission is to help individuals take an active
role in their health. To find out more, visit capsana.ca.
Capsana is a social enterprise owned by the ÉPIC Foundation and the Fondation PSI, which are associated with the Montreal Heart Institute. Its mission is to help individuals take an active role in their health.
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