Editorial: Focus on new healthy habit

It's possible to quit smoking

Quitting smoking is tough. But it's achievable.

Convincing people to quit smoking is tough too, it seems.

A Tai Tokerau Tobacco Control Hui pondered the issue last Friday in Whangarei.

In 2011 the Government set a goal of reducing the rate of smoking to five per cent or less by 2025. At the last Census, there were 151,692 people in Northland and 32478 were aged under 15. That leaves 119,214 "adults".

Five per cent of that total is about 5960. A Northland DHB Census summary notes that smoking rates are declining - 16.8 per cent of the "over 15" population are "regular smokers". That's about 20,000.

Bear in mind that there are smokers aged under 15.

So yes, something drastic needs to happen, to get to the five per cent target.

Smokers breed smokers it seems - if the practice is common place around the home then the kids are more likely to take it up.

The ongoing and rising cost and the fact it's not just unhealthy but potentially fatal aren't enough to make people quit.

Personally, I gave up smoking after the second attempt.

And created a new problem for myself - eating.

So I would suggest that any strategy encouraging more people to quit smoking should have an obesity strategy running parallel to it. Or a fitness programme that provides new structures and daily regimes.

Because you have to create new habits.

That doorway you puffed away in, stay away from it. Find something else to do with your time, your hands.

And make use of the excellent support available.

Most of all, you have to want to quit. For your wallet's sake. For your kids. For your health.

Cross that barrier, and only then are you on your way to stubbing the habit out for life.