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Waikato DHB Joins World Smokefree Day Celebrations
Friday 31 May 2013
Waikato DHB Joins World Smokefree Day Celebrations
Waikato DHB’s Population Health service is collaborating with Smokefree coalitions CHANCES and TOAST to promote World Smokefree Day through a range of Waikato-wide activities today (31 May).
World Smokefree Day is about celebrating and working towards smoke-free lives for New Zealanders. The theme in New Zealand in 2013 is 'Quit now. It's about whānau'.
The CHANCES (Cambridge, Hamilton, Huntly and Ngaruawahia Coalition Ending Smoking) coalition is organising Smokefree promotions in Cambridge, Hamilton, Huntly and Ngaruawahia, while the TOAST (Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, Otorohanga Action Smokefree Team) coalition is organising promotions in Te Kuiti, Taumarunui and Otorohanga.
“Waikato DHB aims to improve the health and quality of life for its communities. One of the ways we can achieve this is through focusing on increasing wellness through prevention and promotion activities,” Population Health health promoter Pania Te Haate said.
“We are collaborating with Smokefree coalitions to support World Smokefree Day because we believe it is imperative to improve the health of our communities through reduction of smoking,
“Around 5,000 New Zealanders die each year from smoking-related illnesses; 4,700 from smoking and around 350 from second-hand smoke. Today is about empowering people to make their own choices for their own futures, free of addiction, but with support from all of us,” she said.
In Hamilton, Population Health is assisting CHANCES at Garden Place in promoting Smokefree and offering support for people wanting to quit.
In the South Waikato area of Tokoroa and the North Waikato area of Huntly, Population Health is supporting a picture frame concept to highlight smoke-free people in the community.
In Paeroa and Waihi, Population Health is working with WINZ promoting 0800KICKTHEHABIT mana and its Facebook site at the two branches.
“For us, and for many working within the tobacco control sector, this promotion is ongoing and not limited to just this day. Outside of World Smokefree Day the message is also relevant for communities, due to the many negative health effects of smoking. These include stroke and heart disease, many cancers, blindness and a range of other illnesses,” Te Haate said.
Part of World Smokefree Day is to work towards the national target of a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025, which includes making a wide range of environments, including parks, public facilities and spaces, smoke-free.
To find out more about how to stop smoking and becoming smoke-free call local smoking cessation experts on 0800 542 584 (Kick the habit) or Quitline on 0800 778778.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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