Being a Support Buddy

Driven to Quit Challenge participants sign up with a support buddy to help them along their quitting journey.

Who can be a support buddy?

Anyone who is an Ontario resident aged 19 or older as of March 1, 2012, may be a support buddy in The Driven to Quit Challenge. Support buddies who work at the Canadian Cancer Society, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care or Ontario Public Health are not eligible to win a buddy prize. You may support as many entrants as you like, even if you are participating in The Challenge.

What should you look for when choosing a support buddy?

Someone who:

You see or talk with often, ideally every day
Understands your challenges with quitting and can support you through them
Is reliable
Is a non-smoker, or is also quitting (this is not required)
Can verify that you had been smoke-free for the month of March

A support buddy may be your friend, family member, partner, colleague, neighbour or healthcare provider.

What does a support buddy do?

It’s all in the name! A buddy is a source of support and motivation to the person quitting smoking in The Driven to Quit Challenge. For some tips, visit the “Help someone quit” page. Support buddies of participants who are drawn as winners will be contacted to verify their buddy’s smoke-free status.

For more help, support buddies can talk to a Quit Coach by making a free call to Smokers’ Helpline 1 877 513-5333 and can read “If you want to help a smoker quit”.