ArcelorMittal Joins Forces With The Ontario Lung Association

Today is “Weedless Wednesday” and to celebrate the Ontario Lung Association launched its acclaimed province-wide smoking cessation program, Quit & Get Fit, at ArcelorMittal Dofasco.

Now in its third year, Quit & Get Fit, funded by the Government of Ontario, highlights the benefits of exercise to help someone quit smoking. The program is based on research that shows physical activity can help reduce cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.

32 year employee Ken Murray who works in Galvanizing will be the first employee to start the Quit and Get Fit program, “The thing that caught my eye was the amount of support offered and the fact that I will have someone to be accountable to” Ken said. When asked what he hoped to achieve, “Quit. Done. Finished… my family would be thrilled.”

Graham Browne Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Administration was on hand in support of Ken and others participating, “this is a unique partnership that will help employees who want to quit smoking, we are pleased to be able to offer this program to our employees as part of our comprehensive health and wellness program, Personal Best.

“We are thrilled that ArcelorMittal Dofasco has chosen to be one of our Quit & Get Fit sites,” said Andrea Stevens Lavigne, Vice President of Provincial Programs, Ontario Lung Association.

“A workplace cessation program provides an effective setting to reach tobacco users on a regular basis, while benefiting employers in the areas of lost productivity and employee absence due to illness from smoking.”

According to Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-term Care in Ontario, Tobacco related diseases result in $5.8 billion worth of productivity loses every year.

All participants in the Quit & Get Fit program receive a series of free personal training sessions that combine smoking cessation support with fitness and health information.

Another program that ArcelorMittal Dofasco employees, Quit & Get Fit participants, and all Ontarians who are planning to quit smoking are encouraged to access is the Canadian Cancer Society’s The Driven to Quit Challenge.

Launched earlier this month, the Challenge invites tobacco users to break their addiction for the chance to win a new car, a dream vacation or cash. For details about The Driven to Quit Challenge, Ontarians can go to www.DrivenToQuit.ca. Registration is open until February 29, 2012.