If your New Year’s resolution was to quit smoking, there’s still time to enter the European Smokefree Quit Awards 2008 and win E15,000 holiday vouchers.
The Health Division has always been committed in encouraging the Maltese and Gozitan population to quit smoking. This commitment goes way back to 1986 with the introduction of the Tobacco/Smoking control act.
The Health Promotion Department has not only been active in initiating the local legislative aspect but also in the forefront when it came to support and initiatives to encourage smokers to quit. A case in point is the ongoing local participation and collaboration with the World Health Organisation and the European Union. All were targeted at quitting the addictive habit of smoking.
In addition, due to the tobacco initiatives and leadership, namely the legislative aspect and the introduction of smoke free public places, Malta was awarded the first ‘Smoke Free Europe 2005’ gold award during a ceremony on 2 June 2005.
A new initiative by the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department for 2008 is to engage yet in another European Union campaign. There has never been a better time to quit; this is because at this time of the year the smoker can encompass all with a New Year resolution to rid oneself of tobacco addiction for a healthier lifestyle by quitting smoking and end up being a winner all the way.
The Campaign
The search is on for the first European Smoke Free Quitter for this year. This person will be given the title of ‘European Smoke Free Quitter of the Year 2008’. There is e15,000 in Holiday vouchers for one overall European quitter from 12 participating countries, including Malta, for 2008
The winner from Malta will be awarded a trip to Amsterdam to go and participate in this Award ceremony. Altogether twelve countries including Malta are participating. Each country will be selecting a winner who will be the representative that in the end will win a trip to the Award ceremony in Amsterdam in September 2008. Participation is open to all local citizens that have already quit up to a maximum of ten years or are ready to quit. It is imperative that smokers would need to remain quit between 1 February and 31 July. Applications are to be submitted to the department by not later than the 31 January.
Each participant can also nominate a health care professional who has helped smokers quit and a public figure who has made an impact on smoking policy.
For more information, to participate or nominate one can download an application form from http://sahha.gov.mt and send the application to the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department 5A, The Emporium, St Louis Street, Msida or ring Quitline tel. 2326-6000 or tel. 2326-6116 and we will send you an application to be filled and returned to the mentioned address.
All the winners will be announced after the Award ceremony (September 2008) on each countries website. Rules of entry are also on the websites http://sahha.gov.mt