Win 5,000 Holiday Euros With the European Smoke Free Awards 2009

LONDON - Have you recently quit smoking and want to let everyone know about your achievement, or do you need an extra incentive to give up the cigarettes for good? Then why not enter the European Smoke Free Awards 2009?

Held for the first time in 2008, the awards are a chance to win a share of 7,000 Euros in holiday vouchers, with the Quitter of the Year scooping 5,000 holiday Euros and the runner up winning 2,000 holiday Euros.

A range of countries across Europe are participating in the awards, with each country putting forward one finalist who will win a trip to the awards ceremony in Barcelona in February 2010. You 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, please contact your national Quitline:

UK: 0800-00-22-00 Sweden: 020-84-00-00 Lithuania: 860595555 Bulgaria: 0700-10-323 Finland: 0800-148-484 Latvia: 7037333 Netherlands: 0900-9390 Poland: 0-801-108-108 Italy: 800-99-88-77 Portugal: 808-20-88-88 Cyprus: 22-448-000 Spain: 902-111-444 (Catalan region only) Iceland: 800-6030

Last year’s European Quitter of the Year was Milos Hlohovsky from the Czech Republic. Milos’ story of how he stopped smoking up to 25 cigarettes a day to improve his health and free himself from the slavery of cigarettes, inspired the judges to award him top prize. Milos, who smoked for 48 years before quitting, said: “My life has been much better since. I have fresh breath and I do not smell of smoke. My wife is really pleased I have quit smoking too and I have encouraged several of my friends to stop or reduce their smoking. My doctor is also glad as my blood pressure is now like a young man!”

Steve Crone, chairman of the European Network of Quitlines, said: “Last year’s first European Awards were a great success, and we are hoping for even more inspirational stories this year from people across Europe. We are looking for Europeans who have already quit or who are prepared to register and quit. There has never been a better time to quit with so many clinically proven treatments available and excellent support from a range of health care professionals including Quitline counsellors and GPs.”

Smokers and ex-smokers must have quit on or since January 1, 2008 and have until December 31, 2009 to register or enter. They must have been smoke-free for at least six months to enter the competition. Only the most inspirational stories will be contacted to go through to the next stage.

All the winners will be announced after the award ceremony (February 2010) on each country’s website. Rules of entry are also on the websites.

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.

RULES OF ENTRY

Nominees must have stopped smoking on or after January 1, 2008 and must have been smoke free for six months before entering. The deadline for entries is December 31, 2009. Entries must include a recent photograph. Nominees must be aged above the legal age for smoking in their country of residence. Entrants from the 2008 Awards (excluding individual country winners) may enter if they meet the above criteria. No liability will be accepted for lost, damaged or delayed entries. Proof of posting cannot be accepted as proof of delivery. No cash prize available. Final choice of the awards is at the Selection Panel’s discretion. The Selection Panel’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. Entrants must be prepared to co-operate in any media coverage. Entrants must agree to the use of their name and photograph in any materials produced by the European Network of Quitlines and/or Pfizer in relation to the awards. All nominees must consent to their country’s Quitline contacting their doctor and agree to take part in a saliva test to confirm they are an ex-smoker. The contest is not open to employees and families of anyone connected with the organisation of the competition.

ENTRY IMPLIES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE RULES.

Source: The European Network of Quitlines

Nicola Orchard, +44-(0)207-469 0414, n.orchard at quit.org.uk