World Smokefree Day “Give quitting a go”

11/05/2011 | Smokefree Day

Dannevirke residents are invited to celebrate World Smokefree Day on 31 May in Copenhagen Square with Te Kete Hauora and other health services. Free hot soup and buns will be provided from 10am until 2pm and Smokefree co-ordinators will be present to give expert advice on quitting. There will also be free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for people to try.  Every person who takes information, or tries NRT, or commits to making some sort of change like smoking outside of their house, or car, will go in a draw to win a prize.

Te Kete Hauora is totally supportive of any staff members who quit smoking, offering incentives and encouragement.  They have also put out a challenge to other organisations in the community to encourage their staff to quit.

Working alongside Te Kete Hauora to celebrate World Smokefree Day will be other health services including Public Health Services, the Heart foundation, Cancer Society  and Central PHO  in Pahiatua. 

In fact the lead-up to World Smokefree Day has begun already and it couldn’t be a better opportunity to join people from all over the globe and assert the fact that we, not tobacco, determine the course of our lives and destinies.

Julie Beckett from MidCentral Public Health says: “Too often tobacco use is presented as a matter of personal choice, but it’s hardly a choice when it’s an addiction, is it? 

“This is why tobacco companies are so eager to appeal to our teenagers – people just don’t choose to start smoking in their adult years. We want to encourage people to assert their choice, their freedom and their right to health. That’s what World Smokefree Day is about,” explains Julie.

“We’re inviting people to join with others around the globe, to step up and assert their identity and their freedom this May. Smoking is an addiction; not a symbol of choice, whereas quitting is. Give quitting a go on World Smokefree Day and make a statement of freedom. It’s more powerful than you imagine.”

World Smokefree Day is an international event created by the World Health Organisation that is observed in New Zealand on May 31 each year.  It’s about supporting and celebrating Smokefree lives for New Zealanders everywhere.

Julie says: “Our aim is simply to create a supportive environment that encourages people to consider quitting smoking, and highlight the many sources of help available.

According to Julie, all you need to do is set a date, talk to the Quitline or your local health service you see most and get hold of some patches, gum or lozenges and “go for it.”

“Some people beat the addiction first try, others have a couple of goes but you can do it. Even just using the patches, gum or lozenges doubles your chances and those that also have support from services like Quitline or the Central PHO in Pahiatua are up to five times more likely to succeed,” encourages Julie.

“When the Government released its response to the Maori Affairs Select Committee recommendations, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia called it a landmark moment in New Zealand history - asserting our own identity as a nation and defining for ourselves the role tobacco is allowed to play in the life of this country."

“Let me encourage you to join the movement this May and assert your identity - make World Smokefree Day your statement for a Smokefree future.”
 
Notes to reporter:

• For more information please contact Julie Beckett, Public Health Services, MidCentral District Health Board. (06) 350 9110
• For more information on World Smokefree Day, go to: www.worldsmokefreeday.org.nz
• World Smokefree Day was created by the World Health Organisation in 1987. In other countries it is known as World No Tobacco Day.

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945