New Website Aims To Stop Maori Smoking

10 April, 2008

Subject: New Website Aims To Make Mäori Smoking Cessation Service More Accessible

A new website and 0800 number have been launched to help Mäori women and their whänau get more information about and link into Aukati Kaipaipa – a free smoking cessation service.

The website, www.aukati.org.nz, and the 0800 number (0800 4 AKP00 / 0800 4 25700) were launched this week.

The website includes details about the service and information about each of the Cessation Practitioners. People wanting to register with the Aukati Kaipaipa service can contact one of the Cessation Practitioners or fill in an online client form. People contacting the 0800 number will be able to leave a message for a Cessation Practitioner, who will return their call. Aukati Kaipaipa has Cessation Practitioners in Canterbury (Waitaha) Timaru (Aoraki) and West Coast (Te Tai Poutini).

The service offers:

• A Kaupapa Mäori service

• Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches and gum)

• Access to a Cessation Practitioner

• An eight-week intensive programme and 12 months’ ongoing support

• Individual cessation plans

• A mobile service

• Referral to other services

Canterbury District Health Board Health Promoter Jason Nolan said Aukati Kaipaipa had decided to set up the website and the 0800 number to make the service more accessible to Mäori women and their whänau. Mäori are twice as likely to smoke compared to the general population and about one in three of all Mäori deaths are smoking-related. “Smoking is still killing our whänau but that’s why we’re here – because we’re passionate about our people,” he said. Mark Solomon, the Kaiwhakahaere of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, has been Auahi Kore (smokefree) for more than a year now after joining the programme in 2006. “It’s a great service for our Mäori community and I recommend the programme to anyone wanting to kick the habit,” he said.

ENDS