Making the decision to commit is the first step in quitting smoking, but having strong support is the key to success.
And having that support come to you when you need it is even better.
For Ngā Miro Health in Ngāruawāhia, it’s all part of the service they provide to smokers who are ready to quit.
“We will come to your home, workplace, sports club, marae, even to kōhanga reo – it doesn’t matter where, we will come to you,” says Nga Miro Health manager Glenda Raumati.
These support people are called Quit Coaches, and they’re an integral part of a new stop-smoking service in Ngāruawāhia and around the Waikato.
The programme, dubbed ‘Once and For All’, offers a brand new way of quitting by focusing on offering intensive behavioural support for smokers with a dedicated Quit Coach.
The programme is available for free in Ngāruawāhia and throughout the Waikato and is internationally-proven to work.
Ngā Miro Health Centre is a member of Pinnacle Midlands Health, one of the largest primary health organisations in New Zealand and are facilitating the new programme.
Pinnacle’s General Manager Practice and Network Services Andrew Swanson-Dobbs says it’s the individual and group support that sets Once and For All apart from other quit-smoking programmes.
“We have a group of health professionals who have been trained up as Quit Coaches and are keen to see Aotearoa’s days of smoking behind us.
“These Quit Coaches already have a background in the health industry – many of them are doctors and nurses so they know what they’re talking about when they say that quitting smoking has positive effects from day one.
“But they also have empathy and connect with smokers on a personal level. Many of them know what it’s like to quit – so they’re coming from a place of experience but also respect for the smoker and the journey they’re on.”
In the Waikato region there are 43,700 smokers aged 15 years and over – 15.5 per cent of the population. Smoking increases the risk of developing heart disease and cancer and is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand.
“In some cases we would also recommend nicotine replacement medication in conjunction with behavioural therapy and support,” says Swanson-Dobbs. “A combination of medication and behavioural support has a quit rate of up to 74%, whereas medication on its own can be as low as 9%.
“The number of enrolments in our programme has doubled in the past three months which is showing us we’re on the right track – but we won’t be happy until we’re 100% smoke free.”
The Ministry of Health has set a target of a smokefree New Zealand by 2025.
“Of course we want to help achieve that target, but we want our communities to be healthy and our families and whānau to lead active, fulfilling, smoke-free lives. That’s our motivation.”
Smokers can sign up to the Once and For All programme online, through their GP or community health provider or by phone. Once enrolled in the programme they pick a target quit date and are supported through their journey with a Quit Coach, and can take part in group or individual support sessions in their home, workplace or in-clinic. Smokers who quit successfully will receive a gift voucher to the value of $50.
Once and For All also offers tailored support for pregnant women trying to quit smoking.
To sign up, visit onceandforall.co.nz or phone 0800 6623 4522