Smokefree Homes and Impacts for Maori Caregivers

Social Marketing of Smokefree Homes and Short-Term Impacts for Maori Caregivers

Embargoed until time of presentation

Media are advised that Mere Wilson of the Health Sponsorship Council (HSC) will be speaking at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference on the topic of “Social Marketing of Smokefree Homes and Short-Term Impacts for Maori Caregivers”.

Friday 7 September at 9.45 am (Presentation number 306)

This presentation includes a number of points that may be of interest to the media:

• Strong evidence shows that exposure to second-hand smoke is harmful and causes health problems. Children are especially vulnerable because they are still developing and are reliant on health-protective actions taken by caregivers.

• Much has happened in New Zealand's Maori communities where smoking is a major threat to health. HSC has managed campaigns with the goals of raising awareness of the effects of second-hand smoke, and reducing children's exposure to second-hand smoke in private settings.

• This presentation will describe a second-hand smoke campaign, which was defined within a social marketing framework. Information from five population surveys conducted annually since 2003 have been used to evaluate the campaign.

• Results show that Maori parents and caregivers have been more responsive than people who do not identify as Maori, with a large reduction in second-hand smoke exposure in Maori caregivers' homes.
This presentation (which is number 306) will be held in the Upper NZI Room 5 at 9:45 am on 7 September.

The Oceania Tobacco Control Conference is being held at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, 4-7 September (Mayoral Drive just off Queen Street). The conference website is www.smokefreeoceania.org.nz.

ENDS

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