Tai Tokerau smokers prepare to give up on No Smoking Day

Hundreds of people who smoke in Northland are preparing to quit on 1 November, as part of the annual No Smoking Day campaign.
Northland DHB Smokefree Coordinator, Bridget Rowse, says the Tai Tokerau No Smoking Day theme, "One day can make a difference", is aimed at young people and adults who want to kick the habit, by creating a supportive environment for them and by highlighting the different ways they can give up the addiction.

Organised and supported by several Northland-based health providers, the day is an opportunity for people who smoke to plan ahead to give up, with appropriate support.

"One day can make a big difference. Make a change for yourself, your whanau and your loved ones," said Bridget Rowse. 

She added: "It's about people who smoke supporting each other to kick the habit. No Smoking Day Tai Tokerau is about wanting out of an addiction to cigarettes and onto a fresh start, free of tobacco. One day can make a very positive difference to the rest of their lives when people quit smoking."

Nearly 25 percent of people in New Zealand smoke and research has shown that more than two-thirds of them would like to stop. No Smoking Day Tai Tokerau provides an opportunity to do this, with free help available for those wanting to become smokefree. 

No Smoking Day is supported by ASH NZ, Northland District Health Board, Sport Northland, The Cancer Society Northland, Ngati Hine Health Trust, Manaia PHO and Te Hauora O Te Hiku o Te Ika.

For assistance to quit smoking, contact:

Aukati Kaipaipa Quit Coaches:

Whangarei:        09-430 2386

Kawakawa:         0800 737 573

Kaitaia:              09-408 4024


Quitline:            0800 778 778

Manaia PHO:       09-438 1015

Go to www.ash.org.nz/nosmokingday or www.bebo.com/NSDTaiTokerau to read more about No Smoking Day.

No Smoking Day Events in Northland

If you would like to localise your media coverage you can obtain further No Smoking Day event details from the people below:

Mid North

-        Ngati Hine Health Trust, Kawakawa offices, Moerewa communit and Broadway Health Kaikohe,
contact Kapua Kake on 09-430 2386

Far North

-       Te Hauora O Te Hiku O Te Ika is focusing on Kaitaia Hospital and other large work sites in Kaitaia,
contact Desley Austen on 09-408 4024

Kaipara

-       Te Ha O Te Oranga O Ngati Whatua in Dargaville are working with youth, from NorthTec Dargaville campus
and alternative education students.

Whangarei

-     NorthTec Whangarei campus, contact Lynley Blythe, 09-4703745

-     Bream Bay College, Kamo High School and Whangarei Girls  School, contact Bridget Rowse, 09-430 4100 x 7908

-     22 GP practices from within Manaia PHO, contact Ngaire Rae, 09-438 1015

-     Whangarei Hospital, focusing on staff becoming smokefree, contact Amanda Bradley, 09-430 4100 x 3559.


Here are some top tips to help people quit:

-      Call the free Quitline on 0800 778 778 and check out what it offers - it could quadruple your chance of stopping.

-      Get some Nicotine Replacement Therapy such as patches or gum. It doubles your chances of becoming                        smokefree - talk to your Quitline advisor, Aukati Kaipaipa quit coach, GP or pharmacist.

-      Write down all the reasons you want to change and tape it to the fridge to help you stay motivated.

-      Enlist the support of friends, family and workmates - why not quit together and help keep each other on track?


- Ends -

For further information, please contact:

Bridget Rowse, Smokefree Coordinator

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 7908

Email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it



Clare Blackburn, Communications Manager

Northland District Health Board 

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3315