Smokefree hits home for shearers

Wairarapa Smokefree Network set up outside the Golden Shears entrance a smokefree tent and big 'We don't smoke here anymore' signs.

The Golden Shears committee had a vision for this year's event to be smokefree and succeeded beyond their expectations, says chairman Phillip Morrison

He said the public, including smokers, supported the smokefree stance "with grace and respect".

"At past events smokers have milled around the entrances and people have had to walk through a smoke haze to get in and out of the event.

"This didn't happen this year and we want to thank the many hundreds of visitors and spectators who respected the smokefree areas," Mr Morrison said.

To support the smokefree zones Mr Morrison invited Wairarapa Smokefree Network to set up directly outside the stadium entrance with a smokefree tent and big signs with "We don't smoke here anymore" written on them.

Whaiora and Quitline provided quit coaches who spent the three days of the shears event talking to people and offering quit support.

Quit coach at Whaiora Victoria Te Tau said being at the Smokefree tent was a positive experience. "People were so keen to talk about their experience with smoking and to chat about how we might help them.

"Even some of the shearers raced out to see us after they had finished a competition. The shears commentators in good humour were ribbing the shearers who weren't winning that they better give up smoking if they wanted to be fitter and faster.

"These comments obviously got to them," she said.

DHB Smokefree co-ordinator Linda Spence said Maori wardens were on board supporting the smokefree zone.

"If anyone missed the signage and started smoking, they were respectfully asked to move along and smoke away from the event," she said.

"We noticed over the three day event that there were less and less smokers visible.

"Mothers with young children were able to take in the fresh air outside the stadium, and it was a safe and healthy place to be."

The Wairarapa Smokefree Network and Quitline ran competitions over the three days of the shears.

More than 150 people entered the competition, and of these most supported the vision of a smokefree future. Seventy people who entered the competition wanted support to quit smoking. Many of these will receive face-to-face support from Whaiora's Aukati Kai Paipa quit programme.

The Wairarapa Smokefree Network and Quitline are keen to return to next year's shears.

Quitline's manager, Maori and Pacific strategies, Ben Strickland congratulated Golden Shears organisers for making this year's shears smokefree.