Health Deadline Presents Challenge for Kiwi Smoker

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday September 16, 2004

Historic Health Deadline Presents Challenge for Kiwi Smokers

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, the distributor of Nicorette, the country's leading nicotine replacement therapy(1), is challenging Kiwi smokers to quit during the 12-week countdown to changes to the Smoke Free Environments Act.

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare General Manager, Peter Baltus said: "This is an historic health milestone and there has never been a more perfect opportunity for people to quit."

Nicorette, in partnership with staff in clubs, restaurants and bars throughout the country, has launched a 12-week programme to make the no smoking message easier to enact when the December 10 cut-off date comes around, helping staff motivate their customers to stub out the habit.

Nicorette has joined forces with Sporting Clubs Association of New Zealand (SCANZ). SCANZ Chief Executive Bob Clark said the 12-week countdown programme Nicorette offered to his 900 plus membership was a proactive initiative to help clubs deal with the changes to the legislation. The new rules will see all indoor areas of workplaces become completely smoke-free just in time for Christmas.

Mr Clark said: "The 12 week awareness campaign complements Nicorette's own 12-week Steps to Success programme, which helps smokers give up smoking and will hopefully provide enough time for our clubs to encourage more of their members to quit."

Peter Baltus explained: "Often to achieve their goals, people need a milestone, and we believe this date will become significant in people's attempts to quit smoking. We hope bars and clubs will plan events around this date to help motivate people towards this goal."

Each week from September 17 through to December 10 Nicorette will be sending out information, checklists and merchandise to ease managers, staff and most importantly, their club members and patrons into the smoke-free period. The information programme will also include overseas examples of how smoke free implementation has worked successfully in the hospitality industry.

Mr Baltus said: "I believe our programme will be useful in focusing attention in a positive way on what these clubs and businesses can do to prepare for the new rules. I also hope more people will be encouraged to quit smoking altogether, not just when they are visiting these venues."

Smoking reduction with Nicotine Replacement Therapy may motivate smokers to quit by gradually allowing them to take control of their smoking(2).

Nicorette has the widest range of NRT products available, each with its own profile and benefits to suit the needs and lifestyles of individual smokers. The range encompasses Nicorette Gum, Patch and Inhaler, all of which are widely available in pharmacies throughout New Zealand.

Nicorette is a stop smoking aid. Nicorette Gum contains 2mg and 4mg nicotine. Nicorette Patch delivers 15mg, 10mg and 5mg nicotine over 16 hours. Nicorette Inhaler is a Pharmacy Only Medicine containing 10mg Nicotine. Medicines have benefits and some may have risks. Always read the label carefully and use strictly as directed. If you have any side effects, or require further information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Pfizer Consumer HealthCare, Auckland.

Reference:

1. Aztec MAT Value, July 2004

2. Wennike P, Danielsson T, Landfeldt B, et al. Smoking reduction promotes cessation; a placebo controlled trial of nicotine gum with 2-year follow up. Poster presented at Fourth European Conference of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Santander, Spain, October 2002.

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