Nominations for smoke-free champions open
By Contributor
Do you know someone who has played a significant role in tobacco reduction? Interior Health would like you to consider nominating them for a Smoke Free Champions for Change Award. The awards honour people who have made a difference in the lives of others by promoting smoke-free spaces, helping people quit smoking and preventing people from starting to smoke. “A Smoke Free Champion for Change is someone who goes beyond their regular everyday work to reduce tobacco use and its harmful effects in their community,” says Trish Hill, Senior Tobacco Reduction Coordinator. “Champions show leadership and commitment, and their work often plays an important role in influencing people to change their use of tobacco.” Nominations open January 17, 2011 and close April 30, 2011. The Smoke Free Champions for Change awards are open to both Interior Health staff and community members. “These awards are not only about recognizing the great work that is being done to promote tobacco reduction,” says Hill, “they are also about sharing ideas and inspiring others to take action.” January 16 to 22 is National Non-Smoking Week in Canada. This year’s theme is There are hundreds of reasons to quit… what’s yours? “We know that around 70% of tobacco users want to quit smoking; and in the Interior Health region that amounts to approximately 70,000 people,” says Hill. Nominating a champion is easy. Nomination forms will be available on the Interior Health website at http://www.interiorhealth.ca/nominate.aspx starting January 17th. Simply complete the nomination form and submit it by April 30, 2011. Forms can be submitted online, by fax to 250-505-7211 or by mail to Smoke Free Champions for Change, Nelson Health Unit, 2nd Floor, 333 Victoria St., Nelson BC V1L 4K3.
Six champions will be announced and awarded $50.00 gift certificates on World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2011. Those who nominated the selected champions will also be eligible for a prize.
