In partnership with Leave The Pack Behind, the Grey Bruce Health Unit is promoting the six-week wouldurather... contest for young adults aged 18-29. Participants have the chance to win grand prizes worth up to $5,000 with an early bird prize of $500 available for those who register before December 31st, 2016.

Young adults currently have the highest smoking rates at 18.4% compared to the general population at 16.1%.

"It is important to reach youth adults early to help them quit for good, realize the dangers of social smoking or convince them to remain tobacco-free", says Jason Cranny, Youth Advisor, Grey Bruce Health Unit.

Last year, more than 8,600 young adults entered the wouldurather... contest. Up to 20% of those who enter the contest will quit smoking, compared with a 5% success rate for those who quit on their own.

Leave The Pack Behind recognizes that not everyone is ready to quit smoking entirely, which is why the wouldurather... contest offers the opportunity for participants to choose from one of four categories; Quit For Good, Keep The Count, Party Without The Smoke and Don't Start and Win. All contestants have the option to identify a "buddy" who will act as social support during the contest and will receive support emails tailored to their goal. Registration is open at wouldurather.ca until January 22nd, 2017 at 11:59 pm.

source: media release, Grey Bruce Health Unit