Around 54,000 people signed up with the Quitline this year to give up smoking – double the total from four years ago. Figures for the year also show: Quitline advisors received thousands more calls from people asking for additional help. Advisors made 106,000 outbound calls to support people in their quit attempts (35% up on 2007).
Paula Snowden, Chief Executive of The Quit Group which runs the Quitline, said Christmas was a time to celebrate successes – but also to remember the reasons why the Quitline exists.
“Without smoking, 5000 New Zealand families would have an extra loved one around the Christmas table this year. It’s a sobering thought, and one we can all do something about,” she said.
On a positive note, Paula added that times are changing, with increasing numbers wanting help to quit.
smoking cessation
“New Zealand’s Quitline is one of the most successful smoking cessation programmes in the world. We offer expert support, plus heavily subsidised patches and gum – all of which means that you’re five times as likely to quit successfully with our help than going alone.
“The festive season offers a good reminder that, for most people, turkey is a dish that isn’t best served cold! 96% of people fail when they try and go it alone – giving up cold turkey. We totally support those who can do it that way. But a quick call to one of our advisors can make the world of difference.
“You’ll get some professional advice, a better understanding of the addiction – how it affects you and how you can manage it. And we can offer subsidised patches, gum or lozenges as well – you’ll be five times more likely to succeed.”
As well as callers to the Quitline, The Quit Group is also attracting more and more people through their website and texting service, Txt2Quit.
“The phone is still the most popular way for smokers to reach us, but we’re finding that people want to mix it up a bit now – some prefer our website and others want to receive messages via text. Our bloggers have formed their own very active community where they tell their own stories, and support each other, which is fantastic,” said Paula.
“We’re going to continue to be responsive to what people want. It’s our job to do whatever we can to make it easier for people to quit and ensure they have the support they need,” she said.
Another positive note for 2009 was indications of a decline in daily smoking rates for Māori women. This was highlighted in the report Māori Smoking and Tobacco Use 2009(2), published this month, which found:
Since 2003, daily smoking rates for Māori women have dropped from 49% to 40%.
Daily smoking among 14-15 year-old Māori girls have dropped from 34% to 22% since 2003.
source: www.voxy.co.nz
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