New Ad Campaign Triggers Even More Calls to Quitline

It has been a busy new year for the Quitline with 3468 calls in the first 12 days of January. Over 65% of the calls were from people who had not used the Quitline’s services before.

The highest number of daily calls and website hits was recorded on Monday the 10th January when The Quit Group’s latest advertisement premiered on TV3. Call volumes and website traffic were also significantly higher on Tuesday when the advertisement was broadcast for the first time on TV2 and Māori TV.

The Quit Group’s new advertising campaign, “Don't Give up, Quit” (which can be viewed at: www.quit.org.nz/page/media/campaigns/camp_dontgiveup.php) reinforces the fact that in 2010, 11,000 New Zealanders successfully quit smoking with help from the Quitline. It comprises two advertisements, the first of which shows former smokers who tell us when they became smokefree. Here, the message to all smokers is that every hour a Kiwi successfully quits smoking and every quitter knows the exact moment they decided to give up smoking for good. The ad encourages everyone to make this their hour and get in touch.

“The campaign’s message is a positive one. We know that those who use support, such as the Quitline and the patches, gum or lozenges are five times more likely to succeed and we are simply asking Kiwis who want to quit to use our help,” says The Quit Group’s Chief Executive, Paula Snowden.

She continues: “January is one of the most popular times for smokers to quit. We decided to launch the new campaign to coincide with both new year resolutions and the January tax increase on tobacco products.”

The second advertisement, which goes to air on the 16th January, focuses on the nicotine patches which are available from Quitline, together with the subsidised gum and lozenges, for as little as $3 for an eight-week supply.

“There are a number of misunderstandings about the patches. The simple truth is that patches, gum or lozenges can double your chances of quitting for good. If a person uses patches, gum or lozenges together with a support service, such as our 0800 778 778 number or website www.quit.org.nz, then they are five times more likely to successfully quit. Our ad emphasises the fact that everyday New Zealanders use the patches to help them give up smoking and that they should be worn with pride,” continues Paula Snowden.

How to use the 24 hour patches supplied by Quitline • Use a new patch on a different area of skin each day and leave the patch on for 24 hours. Don’t remove and reapply the patch. • Press the patch firmly in place with your palm and hold it for 20 seconds. If the patch fails to stick properly talk to the person who gave you the Quit Card. • Don’t cut the patches or put them on skin that is cut, burnt, broken, inflamed or hairy. • Wait 10 minutes after a bath or shower before applying the patch. • Don’t put anything, such as perfume or self-tanning lotion, on the skin where you will put the patch. • Wash your hands after handling the patch to remove all the nicotine. • If you have difficulty sleeping or bad dreams, remove the patches before going to bed. • Throw away used patches and put all packaging safely out of reach of children and pets.

Further information on nicotine patches, gum and lozenges can be found on The Quit Group’s website: h

Anyone seeking support can call the Quitline for free on 0800 778 778 or visit www.quit.org.nz for online support, the online blog community and to register for Txt2Quit, a free text-based service. Quitline can also put callers who request face-to-face support in contact with relevant service providers.

ENDS

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