Wednesday 23 May, 2007

Come Along and Celebrate World Smokefree Day in Mangere

Join in this year's 'World Smokefree Day' activities on Thursday, 31st May, as residents of Mangere celebrate their town centre's 'smokefree status'.

Mangere town centre is an open air shopping complex and is also thought to be the first centre of its type in New Zealand to go smokefree.

"Mangere locals and their children can now enjoy an afternoon's shopping without having to endure the unpleasant effects of other people's cigarette smoke", says Heber Fruean of the Heart Foundation's Pacific Islands Heartbeat Team.

As well as creating healthier and more pleasant environments, smokefree policies have other benefits. Evidence shows that the 'denormalisation' of smoking (for example, creating smokefree environments and reducing the visibility of smoking) contributes to stopping people taking up or going back to smoking. Research also shows that denormalisation is key to reducing the number of young people who might start smoking.

The day's celebrations start at 10am and include an official presentation from the Heart Foundation's Medical Director, Professor Norman Sharpe, to Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau, to acknowledge Mangere's smokefree achievements. Other events include jump rope demonstrations from local schools who have completed the Heart Foundation's 'Jump Rope for Heart Programme', lots of delicious heart healthy food from local 'Healthy Kai' retailers and special guest appearances from ONE News presenter Wendy Petrie, the NZ Warriors, David Tua as well as local politicians.

"I hope that the event will highlight to all New Zealanders and to the country's leaders that smoke free environments are essential for the health and welfare of our children", says Heber.

Tobacco smoking is estimated to kill nearly 5,000 people per year. One in five non-Maori smokes compared with one in two Maori and one in three Pacific people. Maori women continue to have the highest smoking prevalence at 50%.

ENDS

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