Quit smoking campaign clears air in Asian households

A free quit smoking programme targeting Asian homes in Auckland has convinced all the participants to stop smoking inside and helped almost half to stop smoking altogether, the organiser says.

The pilot service was launched as a partnership between Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Harbour Primary Health Organisation and Waitemata District Health Board.

It offered support to Asian people who, due to language or cultural barriers, had not always found mainstream quit smoking services accessible or effective.

It began in April 2006 with 93 people signed up.

The self-reported quit rate was 72 per cent at one month, almost 54 per cent at three months and 41 per cent at six months.

The programme offered nicotine replacement therapy, counselling, telephone support, home visits and resource information.

It was being used as a model for other Asian health issues and more than 92 per cent of clients said they would recommend the service, which delivered support in 30 languages or dialects, to family or friends.

The programme is a finalist in the New Zealand Health Innovation Awards to be held on October 10.

- NZPA