Smoking Cessation

Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death and illness in New Zealand.

Smoking is the single most avoidable risk factor for complications in pregnancy and long term health problems for your child.

Supporting pregnant women and their family to be totally smokefree is a priority of all health care providers.

The most important thing you can do for your health and your whanau/ fãnau is to quit smoking.

Most people who smoke want to quit. The chances of successfully quitting are greatly increased with support from appropriately trained health professionals and by using nicotine replacement products (like patches) or medication.

The approximate cost of 20 cigarettes:

• $15 per day
• $105 per week
• $420 per month
• $5,460 per year

The Cost of 8 weeks supply of NRT patches, lozenges or gum is $3.00!

Ministry of Health Tobacco Health Target - Primary Care

"90% of enrolled patients who smoke and are seen in General Practice, will be provided with advice and help to quit by July 2010"

The ABC approach to quitting prompts your doctor, nurse or another health provider to routinely ask about your smoking status so that they can offer smokers support to quit.

How it works:

A - Ask: Your doctor, nurse or health professional will ask all people over the age of 15 years whether they smoke.

B - Brief Advice: They will then offer quick advice about quitting to all people who smoke, regardless of their desire or motivation to quit.

C - Cessation Support: This is ongoing support and/or referral for additional help.

ABC training is available to all registered health professionals online at:

www.smokingcessationabc.org.nz

For help and support to quit smoking:

• Talk to your GP or Practice nurse about products and support available.  You may be eligible for free advice and support.
• There are a number of subsidized products and services available to make quitting easier. The use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy along with support from your health provider can double your chances of successfully quitting.
• NRT is always safer than continuing to smoke!
• Aukati Kaipaipa - Quit Smoking Programme - Te Hauora O Ngati Rarua    Contact:  Kelly Beech Ph: 577-8404   aukati@ngatirarua.co.nz
• Quitline – www.quit.org.nz Ph: 0800 778 778
• Local Pharmacies – for advice about products available to help you quit.
• Local library and Video stores for helpful books and DVDs.

Smoking Cessation Training for Health Professionals coming up:

Heart Foundation Training

For more information contact:     Tania Gregory, Kimi Hauora Wairau Marlborough PHO Ph:  520-6200   Email:  taniag@marlboroughpho.org.nz

Useful Websites

www.quit.org.nz Quitline (Ph 0800 778 778)

www.pacificheart.org.nz Pacific Heart Beat (PHB), The National Heart Foundation

www.smokefree.co.nz Smokefree – NZ Tobacco Control

www.ash.org.nz Action on Smoking and Health

www.moh.govt.nz Ministry of Health website – Tobacco Control

www.nzno.org.nz NZNO – Advice for Nurses Becoming Quit Card Providers