Patch Up Your Relationship!PATCH UP YOUR RELATIONSHIP!
~ New survey results reveal that more than half of Canadians wouldn’t date a smoker ~
| Toronto, ON - February 09, 2005 |
 Love may be in the air, but Canadians – whether single, dating or married – aren’t interested in mixing it with cigarettes. A new survey1 by NicoDerm* with SmartDose* and Lavalife finds that 56 per cent of Canadians would not date a smoker if they were single and dating. Smoking also appears to be a deal breaker for Cupid! Once in a relationship, one-in-five Canadians (20 per cent) say they have, or know someone who has, ended the relationship because their partner was a smoker. Moreover, the survey reveals that two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents have, or know someone who has, hidden smoking from someone else – clearly not a great way to build a future together! Rosemary Munro, a life and relationship coach and certified addiction counsellor with Journey to a New Life Counselling in Toronto, wants to see smokers give the most romantic gift of all to a loved one: the gift of good health. “I encourage Canadian smokers to look at Valentine’s Day as the perfect opportunity to break their relationship with cigarettes. By looking to their partner for support, making small changes to their everyday routine and using a smoking cessation aid, like NicoDerm*, smokers can increase their chances of quitting successfully. We all want to be smart when it comes to our relationships, and smart about quitting smoking – the rewards are well worth it!” STILL SINGLE AND SMOKING?
For those Canadians on the dating scene, it seems non-smokers may have an easier time finding something in common with fellow daters. The membership demographics of Lavalife – one of the leading providers of on-line dating services for singles – reveal that 66 per cent of members do not smoke, while 20 per cent identify themselves as ‘occasional’ or ‘regular smokers’ (13 and seven per cent respectively). “When asked if they were to date a smoker, and how much smoking would affect their attraction to that person, 61 per cent of Canadians surveyed stated it would decrease their attraction,” says Bruce Croxon, Chief Executive Officer, Lavalife. “While our society may have changed when it comes to smoking and relationships, our need to be social and to connect with each other hasn’t. Lavalife gives singles the opportunity to click with other like-minded singles anytime, anywhere.” HELP YOUR PARTNER BREAK UP WITH CIGARETTES
“The good news is more than half (54 per cent) of those surveyed have, or know someone who has, quit smoking for someone else,” says Ms. Munro. “This kind of dedication is a key contributing factor to the success – and health – of a long and loving relationship.” Helping a partner or loved one break their cigarette habit is a great way to strengthen your bond, but showing your support can sometimes seem like nagging to the smoker. Use these tips to help offer encouragement to someone who is trying to quit. - Help your loved one avoid situations where others are smoking, or activities that the smoker associates with smoking (at least until he/she gets over the initial cravings).
- During the first few weeks of the smokers’ new smoke-free lifestyle, schedule a special night each week or month when you can do something together, smoke-free. For example, movie nights, sitting in a hot tub at a local pool, or exercise classes.
- Double the chances of quit smoking success by using a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). ‘Patch up’ your relationship this Valentine’s Day with NicoDerm* with SmartDose*, a safe and effective smoking cessation aid (when used as directed).
- Make quitting smoking as fun – and sexy – as possible. Suggest spending a day with them doing their favourite activity, smoke-free. Tell your partner how great it is to kiss them, without tasting cigarettes; or make putting on the NicoDerm* with SmartDose* patch a fun and creative way to start your day each morning!
- If your partner relapses, don’t get angry. Find out what triggered his/her craving and think of ways to avoid it in the future.
- Tell them often how proud you are of their decision to quit smoking. Treat them to delicious food, or even new perfume or cologne, as the ex-smoker will begin to taste more flavours in food and will enjoy an increased sense of smell.
- Remember that breaking the habit is tough, but one doesn’t have to go it alone. For information and support, contact the NicoDerm* “Call It Quits” line (1-866-311-5659) to
speak to a healthcare professional trained in smoking cessation, or take
advantage of Web-based support programs.
PATCH UP YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH NICODERM* WITH SMARTDOSE*
NicoDerm* (nicotine patch), with patented SmartDose* technology, is a NRT that is an effective stop-smoking medication. Available without a prescription, NicoDerm* with SmartDose* relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings by providing users with lower overall nicotine levels than they receive with cigarettes. NicoDerm* with SmartDose* enables smokers to function while they manage without cigarettes. NicoDerm* is the only smoking cessation patch that has patented SmartDose* technology, a unique rate controlling membrane that gives the body a smooth and steady supply of nicotine to help protect the smoker against cravings. SmartDose* provides 24-hour protection, even against early morning cravings many smokers find the most difficult. Smokers can double their chances of success with NicoDerm*. NicoDerm* with SmartDose* is safe for smokers, when used as directed. It provides nicotine to the smoker without the dangerous toxins that are present in cigarettes and cigarette smoke. These toxins, not nicotine, are responsible for the vast majority of smoking-related diseases. ABOUT LAVALIFE
Lavalife Corp., one of the leading providers of technology-based dating services, allows its members anytime, anywhere access to like-minded singles. Founded in 1987, Lavalife markets its web www.lavalife.com, telephone and mobile products www.lavalifemobile.com in over 60 markets across the United States, Canada and Australia. Lavalife’s open-minded approach to dating allows members to choose how they want to “click” with other singles by offering three unique categories: dating, relationships and intimate encounters. Since its inception, Lavalife has attracted over six million unique members. Lavalife members exchange 1.3 million messages every day. Lavalife is a subsidiary of Vertrue Incorporated (Nasdaq: VTRU). For more information on Lavalife, visit www.lavalife.com/corp and www.lavalife.com/mediaroom. ABOUT PFIZER CANADA INC.
Pfizer Consumer Healthcare specializes in an extensive range of market-leading non-prescription healthcare products. With roots dating back to 1849, more than a century of innovation and consumer trust stand behind Pfizer products, including some of the most recognized and best-selling brands. From smoking cessation to cold and allergy relief and skin care, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare products are part of everyday life and also part of the Pfizer family. The most recognizable brands include: Nicorette*, NicoDerm*, Benylin, Listerine, Lubriderm, Polysporin, Reactine and Zantac 75.
In Canada, Pfizer employs more than 2,300 people across the country. For more information, visit www.pfizer.ca. - 30 - * The brand names listed above are part of the Pfizer family of trademarks. 1 These are the findings of an Ipsos-Reid/Pfizer/Lavalife poll conducted from January 21 to January 24, 2005. For the survey, a representative randomly selected sample of 884 Canadian adults was interviewed by telephone. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within ±3.3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire Canadian adult population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure the sample’s regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to the 2001 Census data.
For more information please contact:
1-866-9Pfizer (1-866-973-4937)
These press releases were issued in Canada and are intended as reference information for Canadians. The information contained in each press release was accurate at the time of issuance, and Pfizer Canada assumes no responsibility for updating the information to reflect subsequent developments. |
