Northland smokers told: “Beat the Price Increase!”

Northland smokers told: “Beat the Price Increase!”

Giving up smoking is consistently at the top of the list for New Year’s resolutions, and this year smokers have another incentive to quit: a scheduled tobacco tax increase takes effect from 1 January 2016, adding a further 10% to the price of cigarettes and loose tobacco.

Bridget Rowse, Northland DHB Smokefree Advisor is urging smokers to beat the price increase and consider quitting this summer.

“We’re encouraging everyone to make giving up smoking their resolution this New Year. It’s a great opportunity to begin that journey to a smokefree life,” says Bridget.

"Smoking is just not socially acceptable - more and more people are quitting and we are seeing outdoor public areas become smokefree. It used to be very social and now it's not. ”

2013 Census data shows more than 19,986 people in Northland aged 15-years and over smoke regularly (19.1%) down from 25.7% in the 2006 Census The Government's official target is that New Zealand will be Smokefree by 2025, which means a smoking prevalence of less than 5 per cent.

Bridget says, “The cost of smoking may be going up, but the cost of quitting hasn’t changed.”

An eight-week supply of nicotine patches, gum and lozenges costs as little as $5 – and just by using the patches, gum or lozenges you will double your chance of quitting for good.

Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges are safe, and contain only a minimal amount of nicotine.

To get help to stop smoking, talk to your local health provider, Aukati Kai Paipa quit coach www.aukatikaippaipa.co.nz or call Quitline on 0800 778 778, or www.quit.org.nz.

- Ends -

© Scoop Media