World Smokefree Day on 31 May is all about whānau

30 May 2016

World Smokefree Day on 31 May is all about whānau

World Smokefree Day is all about whānau this year, and whānau is the reason Jordan Taiaroa decided to quit smoking.

“A lot of my family smoked and I never really liked it. I’m asthmatic, so whenever I was around it I couldn’t really breathe properly,” says Jordan, a Quitline advisor and one of the stars from the Quitline TV commercials.

“That was a big thing because I didn’t want my family to get sick either. I knew about the outcomes for people that do smoke and the negative effects,” he says.

Each year, about 5000 people die in New Zealand due to smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, Ministry of Health figures show.

The New Zealand theme of World Smokefree Day this year is “It’s about whānau”.

The day is about encouraging people to stop smoking and highlighting the resources and help that is available for them to be successful.

Jordan quit smoking in 2009 and has never looked back. He says quitting is also a lot healthier for whānau, who can be harmed by second-hand smoke.

Then there’s the financial benefits of quitting too. “The money factor comes into it. There’s more money to be spent on the whānau – especially if both parents smoke.”

Quitting smoking also allows people to spend more time with their family. “I know that because when I was younger, my sister who was a smoker used to go outside to smoke when she was looking after me. Just having time to spend with other people is a benefit.”

Whānau support can really help a person quit smoking. “It’s hard to go at it alone, but if you’ve got someone to share that burden with, then other people can carry that on their shoulders with you. That whānau aspect can really help, especially if you’re really close.”

Dave Lowe, also a Quitline advisor featured in the TV commercials, started smoking when he was 11 years old. He lost both his parents to cancer.

“My mother in particular was a heavy smoker. I thought if in some way I could help other families avoid going through that then that would be pretty good,” Dave says.

The benefits of quitting smoking are close to Dave’s heart. “Going back to my own family example, quitting smoking decreases the chances of developing smoking-related illnesses like cancer. If it means whānau are going to be together for longer, it’s all good,” he says.

“The most important thing in life is family, both the family you have and the family you build around you. I consider my very good friends to be my family as well.”

For more information, phone Quitline on 0800 778 778 or visit: www.quit.org.nz

To see all the Quitline ads, featuring Quitline advisors Dave, Jordan and Sonya who are all ex-smokers, visit the website: http://www.quit.org.nz/59/media/ad-campaigns/tv-campaigns#BEENTHERE

ENDS

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