Health service takes quit message to students

Health service takes quit message to students on World Smokefree Day

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is spreading the smokefree message to students including future nurses and other health professionals at AUT North Shore for World Smokefree Day.

ARPHS spokesperson Dr Andrew Lindsay says smoking rates are highest amongst the 20-24 year old age group.

“Promoting the smokefree message on campus is a great opportunity to target large numbers of younger smokers,” said Dr Lindsay.

“There are a number of events planned for Auckland campuses. We want them to know what support and tools are available. The earlier they quit, the better it is for their health.”

Help on offer at the campus included quit cards (which provide access to discounted nicotine replacement therapy or ‘NRT’) samples of NRT lozenges, and giveaways of stress balls, lip balms and quit-reminder bookmarks. Using NRT can double the chance of successfully quitting smoking compared to relying on will power alone.

Senior Nursing Lecturer and Director of Smokefree Nurses Aoteoroa, Grace Wong, was pleased with the turnout and response from the students.

“Students who smoke were approaching the ‘Quit coaches’ and asking for advice. It was a fresh approach to promoting health and there was a lot of interest from the students.

“As well as helping those that want to quit, we are looking to promote smokefree to AUT nursing and health students. Nurses are able to offer smoking quit advice when interacting with patients,” said Grace Wong.

The focus for World Smokefree Day 2010 is all about giving quitting smoking a go – and friends and family supporting those who want to quit.

ENDS

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