Good news for smokers this New Year

Media Release – for immediate release

13 December 2012

Good news for smokers this New Year; Research shows
Quitline clients are staying smokefree

Smokers who choose to stop smoking in the New Year are more likely to keep their resolution for the long-term if they choose to quit with Quitline, new research has shown.

The independent research shows that Quitline is helping people stay smokefree and people who are smokefree at six months are more likely to still be Smokefree at twelve months.

The research also found that one year after signing up with Quitline; over 20.9% of people were successfully smokefree. This compares to a quit rate of 13% in 2003, suggesting that Quitline is being much more effective for its clients.

One reason for this change is that Quitline offers a wide range of services, including online, blogs, phone and text. “The more Quitline services a client uses, the higher their rate of success. Smokers can pick and choose from our support services that work best for them to help them quit and stay quit” says Quitline Chief Executive Paula Snowden.

Research confirms that clients who used multiple services together had a quit rate of 29.5% at 12 months.

Quitline supports strong controls on the supply of tobacco to help smokers to quit and stay quit.

“Smoking is highly addictive and is a notoriously difficult habit to kick, so it makes sense that people should get as much help as they can to quit” says Paula Snowden.

People can get support through Quitline by talking to advisors on the phone, blogging about their journey on the Quitline website www.quit.org.nz getting supportive text messages, and accessing subsidised nicotine replacement therapy.

“In 2013, we will see increased collaboration with others in the health and smoking cessation sectors, particularly those working with Māori and Pacific communities and whānau. We all have an essential role to play in turning the goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 into a reality” says Paula Snowden.

Research conducted by Gravitas Research and Strategy Limited November 2012.

RELEASE ENDS

About Quitline

The Quit Group (which operates as Quitline) is an incorporated charitable trust which was established in 1999. We are committed to helping all New Zealanders quit smoking, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific peoples and pregnant women. Our free services are funded by the Ministry of Health.

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