When it comes to quitting smoking, some people need an incentive to help overcome the addiction.
That's where the Drive to Quit contest comes into play, said tobacco treatment specialist Jim Morris, also known as the Quit Coach.
"It's something they say is a tipping point," he said of the contest that offers the chance at winning a car or cash if they can successfully quit smoking cigarettes for the month of March.
This year's grand prize is a choice between a Dodge Avenger and a Dodge Journey. There are also seven regional $1,000 cash prizes.
Morris said the contest offers encouragement to some smokers to quit for at least a month.
"Hopefully if they stay for the month and don't smoke, they'll continue to be non-smokers for the rest of their lives," he said.
Five million Canadians are smokers and 15 per cent of Ontarians smoke tobacco.
It can take five to seven times for a person to quit smoking.
"It's very difficult but we as humans can achieve many, many, many things," said Morris. "People have to be determined and want to quit."
During the duration of the campaign, participants can use support services like the Smokers' Helpline. They also must sign up with a support buddy.
The support buddy has a chance to win one of eight $100 cash prizes.
Anyone interested in registering for Driven to Quit can do so at driventoquit.ca.
