Yellowknife (Feb 11/04) - Organizers of the Quit and Win Contest are busy this week as the final days to enter are fast approaching.

Rosella Stoesz, contest co-ordinator, said the fax machines have been running furiously since Monday, as last minute hopefuls decide to join in and kick the smoking habit.

"I have a feeling we aren't doing quite as well as last year," said Stoesz. "But that could just be me being pessimistic right now. I am still hopeful we will meet our goal."

Last year, a total of 563 people signed up for the contest, which she said is about five per cent of the number of adult smokers in the NWT. This year, she hopes to surpass that figure.

A major change in the contest this year involved organizers attempting to target all communities in the NWT with their message about smoking, and Stoesz said they did a good job in that respect.

"I feel we have done our part at making the contest visible," she said. "We did our best to get the materials out there."

While travelling to the communities and taking a personal approach to recruiting people would have worked better, Stoesz said the funding and resources just weren't there to make that happen.

There are only two days left to join the contest, Valentine's Day being Day 1 for the would-be quitters.

Hopefuls will have to remain smoke-free for a three-month period in order to be entered into a draw for a trip for two to Mexico.

In the meantime, Stoesz said there is a bit of nail biting going on.

"Last year it was the last week when people kick-started their initiative to join up," she said. "It looks like that will happen again this year."