Ex-smokers can win a Luxury Holiday

LONDON - Ex-smokers across the UK still have time to enter stop smoking charity QUIT’s competition to find the country’s most inspirational quitters and win the holiday of a lifetime.

QUIT(R), along with the European Network of Quitlines, is inviting smokers who have kicked the habit to enter the European Smoke Free Awards 2009, with a grand prize of EUR5,000 (GBP4,250) in holiday vouchers for the overall winner.

The UK winner will receive a weekend stay in Barcelona in February 2010 for the ceremony, where they will compete with winners across Europe for the title of European Quitter of the Year and the grand prize. The runner up will win EUR2,000 in holiday vouchers.

Steve Crone, Chief Executive of QUIT said: “We know there are hundreds of people out there in the UK who have made the decision to stop smoking and deserve a reward. What better way to celebrate their achievement than with a holiday of a lifetime? It would be great for someone from the UK to be crowned European Quitter of the Year and win this prize, so get your entries in now.”

People can also nominate a healthcare professional who has helped smokers quit and a public figure who has made an impact on smoking policy.

To enter or nominate apply online at www.quit.org.uk or ring QUIT on 0800-00-22-00.

To enter, ex-smokers must have quit between January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 and have until December 31, 2009 to enter. They must have been smoke free for six months by the closing date. Rules of entry are on the website.

Notes to Editors: Photographs and case studies are available on request

The European Smoke Free Awards 2009 are supported by Pfizer, which has provided financial assistance for the awards programme.

The European Network of Quitlines has full editorial control of all materials relating to the European Smoke Free Awards and full control over the selection criteria and selection of finalists and winners.

Source: Quit

For details about the awards in the UK please contact Nicola Orchard or Glyn Mcintosh at QUIT on +44-(0)20-7469-0414, out of hours +44-(0)7958-795199 or n.orchard at quit.org.uk. For information about Pfizer, please contact the Pfizer UK press office on +44-(0)845-300-8033 or pressofficeuk at pfizer.com