Quit support lacking

Caroline Mahanga, Todd Leathem and Kerry Kinder from Regent New World are three of six from the supermarket who have been smokefree for about four months now. Photo / John Stone

A group of Whangarei workmates is leading the charge for the country to be smokefree by 2025, but health officials say too few Northland smokers are being offered support to quit when they see their GP.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Health show the 2014/15 health targets for smoking were not met in Northland, but experts say Northland was working hard to meet the target.

The 2014/15 target was that 95 per cent of smokers admitted to hospital and 90 per cent of smokers seen by a health practitioner in primary care would be provided with cessation support. That level of support is needed if the country is to meet its target of being smokefree - realistically less than five per cent of the population smoking - by 2025.

However Northland missed the mark as only 85 per cent of patients were offered cessation support - a -6.9 per cent change since the last quarter.

Primary Health Organisations and practices will now have 15 months to offer brief advice and cessation support to all smokers enrolled.

Mary Carthew, acting chief executive of Manaia PHO, said that would put more pressure on staff, but they were working with general practices to ensure the targets were met.

"We're supporting staff so offering advice and support, and recording when they have becomes part of their routine."

The 2013 Census data showed more than 19,986 people in Northland aged 15 years and over smoked regularly (19.1 per cent), down from the 2006 Census figure of 25.7 per cent.

"This is something that needs to be reached as a whole community and takes a community effort," Ms Carthew said.

The new 2015/16 target will target the entire enrolled population of smokers, not only those who visit a general practice.

Meanwhile, a group of six workers at Regent New World has took up the challenge to kick the habit after some encouragement from owner Todd Leathem.

Mr Leathem had been smoking for 23 years before he quit five months ago. Instead of doing it alone, he asked staff if they wanted to join him to do a subsidised $250 Allen Carr course. Once he knew who was keen, he paid for the course cost.

"If you say it's free then you get everyone putting their hands up so I wanted to see who was actually keen to quit," he said.

Mr Leathem and workmates Kerry Kinder and Caroline Mahanga used to smoke about a pack a day. Ms Kinder had been a smoker for 40 years and Ms Mahanga for 30.

"The support from staff makes it easier because you don't want to be the first to have a smoke," Ms Mahanga said.

Ms Kinder almost pulled out.

"I never thought I could quit and I didn't want to be the first to fail," she said.