‘Dear Me, Hear Me’ contest seeks entries

The Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control Program unveiled a new contest as part of its successful “Dear Me” tobacco cessation-focused media campaign. The “Dear Me, Hear Me” contest is designed to encourage Alaskans to quit tobacco and win a chance to be featured in a “Dear Me” TV commercial.

The contest asks tobacco users to write a candid letter about their battle with tobacco, submit it in order to share their story, and encourages sharing among others.

Over the last year and a half, “Dear Me” has been an integral part of helping Alaskans quit tobacco by encouraging thoughts of quitting and increasing the number of quit attempts and calls to Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW). The campaign features messages using a peer-to-peer approach, with an actual smoker delivering the “no one can make me quit but me” message. As a result, the state’s quit line and other regional tobacco cessation programs have witnessed an increase in callers, with many citing the tagline.

Alaskans can enter the contest by going to Alaskaquitline.com to submit contact information and a “Dear Me” letter by May 6. Options are also available via mail, email, Facebook or fax. Ten semifinalists will be chosen to receive a Flip video camera to film themselves reading their letter, then mail, email or post a video to the Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line website or Facebook page by May 20 for review. Based on the submitted videos, two grand prize winners will be chosen to be featured in their own “Dear Me” commercial and be awarded $500 each. The two grand-prize-winning commercials will be filmed during the first two weeks of June.

For more information, visit alaskaquitline.com, Facebook.com/alaskaquitline or send email to dearme@nwstrat.com.