One week left for teams to register for smoke-free challenge
The next intake for the smoke-free competition 'WERO' closes next Tuesday 14 April. The competition, designed to bring
down Māori and Pasifika smoking rates, is now in its second year, and continues to evidence significant success.
"Māori (39%) and Pasifika (25%) smoking rates continue to be much higher than those of the general population," says
WERO's National Manager Kathrine Clarke.
"WERO, which started as a pilot programme in Hastings in 2014, continues to evidence significant success with Māori and
Pasifika. By the end of the three month competition around 35% of participants are smoke-free. This is an excellent
result."
Teams of ten compete in a three month challenge.
"The competition is very self-directed. Each team comes up with their own quit smoking programme, which typically
includes an element of physical fitness and regular team catch-ups.
"Regional co-ordinators support teams in their area by linking them to local smoking cessation support services. They
also keep in touch with teams throughout the three-month duration of the competition.
"Most teams also access some form of nicotine replacement therapy."
Teams or 'waka' compete against one another for prize money of $5000, which is paid to their favourite charity,
community group or marae project.
"The competition is essentially a peer support programme and we believe that this is the main reason for its success.
Māori and Pasifika are more likely to live and circulate in smoking environments than other groups of New Zealanders.
They need more support when it comes to quitting.
"Each waka develops into a small virtual smoke-free community, where individual contestants get the emotional and
physical support they need to quit smoking."
Find our more about WERO at wero.me
ENDS