New “Quit Coach” directory launched

MEDIA RELEASE 31 MAY 2007

New “Quit Coach” directory launched in the Lakes and Bay of Plenty to celebrate World Smoke Free Day

Thursday 31 May celebrates the 21st birthday of World Smoke Free Day and to coincide with this event the Lakes Smoke Free Coalition Group have developed a smoking cessation “Quit Coach” directory for the Lakes and Bay of Plenty region.

The Lakes Smoke Free Coalition Group is made up of representatives from Toi Te Ora – Public Health, Lakes District Health Board, Bay of Plenty District Health Board and The National Heart Foundation.

“The “Quit Coach” Smoking Cessation Practitioner Directory has been developed in response to a survey conducted, and requests from local community. We received an overwhelming positive response from the Lakes and Bay of Plenty community, surgeries, midwives and local service providers, for such a resource.” said Lorraine Howarth from Toi Te Ora – Public Health.

The directory aims to be a valuable resource that lists the contact details of all the current “Quit Coach” practitioners within the Lakes and Bay of Plenty region.

The directory [brochure] will be available at doctors’ surgeries, midwives, WINZ, CAB, libraries, Plunket, Tipu Ora and hospitals. An electronic version will also be available online through the Lakes and BOP District Health Board, National Heart Foundation, Webhealth and Ministry of Social Development websites.

The Lakes Smoke Free Coalition Group has also supported the National Hearth Foundation smoking cessation practitioner training programmes, one held last October for school health coordinators, teachers and nurses. Another training session was held at Toi Te Ora – Public Health last week, attended by practice nurses, high school health coordinators, youth workers, health field workers, OSH nurses, and Maori service providers, making access to local quit programmes more accessible. The directory compliments the practitioner training and will be updated annually to add all new smoking cessation practitioners available to the community.

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