Smoking could cost you 15 years of life – NZMA

Smoking could cost you 15 years of life – NZMA

27 June 09

The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) is warning that smoking could cut your life short by 15 years.

NZMA Acting Chairman Dr Paul Ockelford says an international study on mortality from smoking estimates that worldwide, long-term smokers who die from a smoking-related illness, die an average of 15 years early. 1,2,3

“What is often forgotten is the impact these deaths have on the people left behind. If you continue to smoke, your grandchildren might never get to know you, and you’ll miss seeing them grow up.
“People work hard all their lives and deserve a long retirement. Smoking could rob you of that retirement, and mean you don’t get to make the contribution to society or to your culture that you would have.”

Nichola Te Kiri lost her father when she was 28, and her sisters and brother were aged from 24 to 10.  Broncho Te Tawhiao Te Kiri, from Hamilton, died from emphysema in 2002 at just 49 years of age, robbing his whanau and community of a very special man.

“Dad has missed so many special things. He doesn’t know my two girls, who were born after he died. He missed my sister’s wedding – she wanted him to walk her down the aisle. He missed my brother’s 21st, and my sister’s graduation.

“One of the really sad things is that my little sisters don’t really remember their dad when he was happy and healthy; they just remember him being in bed all the time, attached to an oxygen machine.

“I remember my sister singing once, and dad telling her off because he was having a bad day. That wasn’t really him at all, but he was just grumpy and in pain.”

Nichola says she really misses having her dad to turn to for advice.

“Now I have to do without him, and that can be really hard.”

Dr Ockelford says doctors see the aftermath of smoking deaths and how much suffering it causes families.

“The best thing you can do for you and your family is quit smoking.

 “There is a lot of help available for people who want to stop smoking - including low-cost nicotine replacement therapy. You can get it through the Quitline – 0800 778 778, as well as from many GPs, midwives, dentists, optometrists, nurse practitioners, other community health workers and online.”

Smoking robs your loved ones of 15 years of your life is the latest Face the Facts message. Face the Facts is a smokefree education initiative developed by the Ministry of Health and Health Sponsorship Council.

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