Join the STOPTOBER march on Tuesday

Thursday 25 September 2014

Tairawhiti District Health www.tdh.org.nz

New Zealand’s first national stop smoking month – STOPTOBER will be launched in Gisborne next week with a march through the city centre.

The aim of the march is to encourage people who smoke to stub out for good in October with a range of ‘do-it-yourself’ supports. The march will feature the Giant Red Stop Ball as well as a number of local celebrities, including Mayor Meng Foon, keen to support the aim of a Smokefree Tairawhiti in 2025.

All are welcome to join the march on Tuesday 30 September. Meet at Heipipi Park on the corner of Gladstone Road and Reads Quay at 10.45am. Marchers will make their way down one side of Gladstone Road to Cobden Street and then along to St Andrews Church.

All are encouraged to wear the colour red and bring their own water bottle.
STOPTOBER challenges smokers to give up smoking for 31 days. Research shows that if someone stops smoking for a month they are five times more likely to stay Smokefree for life. Participants enroll on the STOPTOBER website. The website will provide free daily text and email support and a free Stoptober App, downloadable from the website, which has stress-related support in Te Reo Māori and English. The website will also direct people to face to face, online or phone support, depending on their needs, as well as stop smoking medicines.

The march is the initiative of Taki Tahi Toa Mano, a coalition group from throughout Tairawhiti. The group are working towards a Smokefree Tairawhiti with representatives from Tairawhiti District Health, Ngati Porou Hauora, Cancer Society, Turanga Health, Heart Foundation, Te Aka Ora, Pacific Islands Community Trust, Midlands Health Network, Ministry of Social Development, Gisborne District Council and Te Aitanga a Hauiti Hauora.

ENDS

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