Maori, Pacific smoking rates still high

Smoking a cigarette

The Lakes District Health Board region still has one of the highest percentages of Maori and Pacific smokers, despite a national drop over the last seven years.

Nationally, Maori regular smoking rates dropped from 42.2 per cent to 32.7 per cent between 2006 and 2013, and Pacific regular smokers dropped from 30.3 per cent to 23.2 per cent in that period, data provided by Action on Smoking and Health reveals.

However, the percentage of Maori and Pacific regular smokers in the Lakes District Health Board region sits at 34.9 and 27.8 respectively.

The Wero Challenge, a three-month team stop-smoking contest, is proving successful in Rotorua and co-ordinator Toia Lucas-Walden wants to see it continued.

"From the teams we've had so far, we've had at least an 80 per cent success rate so we definitely think it works and want to continue providing the support and avenue for people."

Ms Lucas-Walden said working together was the key to lasting success.

"When you are working as a team, you don't want to be the person who lets the others down so they are more likely to break through the cravings and habitual behaviour.

"The Wero Challenge has such high success rates for quitting smoking because the team works together and the individual is not trying to overcome the addiction alone."

Teroi Teroi took part in the Wero Challenge with seven other Maori men and said if he hadn't been asked to join, he would still be smoking.

"I am so grateful someone approached me and challenged me to take part because I am healthier and happier than I have ever been."

He said at times it was tough trying to kick the habit but it was worth it in the end.

"I would encourage all Maori men - and anyone else still smoking - to try to give up because that money and time would be much better spent on your family."

Te Ara Ha Ora manager Zoe Hawke said the national statistics were a reminder of how far New Zealand had come with its smoking status.

"Although regular Maori smoking rates have dropped to 32.7 per cent, that's still more than double the New Zealand non-Maori rate of 15 per cent."

Ms Hawke said she congratulated those regions which came in below the national Maori average and welcomed the opportunity to support other regions which were serious about dealing with tobacco harm.

"We all need to stand up as a collective against tobacco. Tobacco is not for our whanau, not for our tamariki, it wasn't our history and it will not be our future."