Young New Zealanders turn away from tobacco

17th May 2012

Young New Zealanders turn away from tobacco

2012 has seen a record jump in the number of young New Zealanders turning away from tobacco. This World Smokefree Day, the Bay of Plenty District Health Board has a lot to celebrate.

“We’ve seen the biggest drop in youth smoking in almost a decade,” says Bay of Plenty District Health Board Smokefree Hospital Coordinator Sue Freeman. “Tobacco sales are down 14 per cent and 88 per cent of smokers we see are offered brief advice and support to quit. We are on the way to a Smokefree Aotearoa.”

“Tobacco is on the way out and our role now is to create an environment that discourages young people from experimenting with the habit and to support those who want to quit,” Sue adds.

Recent research indicates that at least eight out of every 10 people who smoke regret starting, and six in every 10 have tried quitting in the last five years. Most smokers want to quit, they just don’t always have the support they need and don’t always know how.

“Our job is to make it as easy as possible,” says Sue. “There’s never been more support for those who want to quit, and there’s never been a better understanding of the different options and what approach works for different people.”

“It’s not about banning smoking or some sort of prohibition. It’s about empowering people to make their own choices for their own futures, free of addiction. We’ve all got a role to play in supporting that,” Sue explains.

If there is someone in your family or household thinking about quitting, or if you are a smoker and want to discourage others from following in your footsteps, Sue says to think about things you can do to create a supportive environment.

“It might be as simple as creating a smokefree home and car, encouraging each other in healthy habits and choices and perhaps considering turning quitting into a team event,” she says. “Some people quit with a friend, others know their whanau are in their corner cheering them on – you don’t have to do it alone. With World Smokefree Day coming up on May 31, it’s a great opportunity to join with others around the world and take a step towards a smokefree future.”

New Zealand has committed to a goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025. The aim is to create a country that is essentially smokefree, where less than five per cent of the population are ‘current smokers’.

“A future without tobacco is a future without the leading cause of cancer, death and other diseases in New Zealand,” say Sue. “It's a future to which our youth are marching swiftly towards. The Smoking Not Our Future Facebook page is testimony to this with 75,000 New Zealanders joining the conversation online. Get on board and have something to celebrate this World Smokefree Day.”

Help and support to quit smoking
For those who decide the time is right to quit, there’s more help available than ever:
• Aukati Kai Paipa Services are available by calling Ngati Awa on 07 306 0096.
• Group cessation programmes are available through Ngati Awa on 07 306 0096.
• Quitline has updated and extended its online services. Call 0800 778 778 or visit www.quit.org.nz. Quitline supplies an increasing range of medical products and nicotine therapies from as little as $3 per product type for an eight week supply.

ENDS

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