A leading quit smoking expert is encouraging smokers to maximise their chances of quitting by using nicotine patches, gum and lozenges available, very cheaply, in New Zealand. Nicotine replacement therapy works by replacing some of the nicotine people get from tobacco, which can reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms. “We are extremely fortunate in this country to have easy access to low-cost nicotine replacement therapy,” says international cessation expert Dr Hayden McRobbie. Dr McRobbie is commenting on the latest message from the Face the Facts initiative – ‘nicotine replacement therapy is safe and doubles your chances of quitting’. He says many people are not aware of just how safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy is. “A survey of Quitline users showed that thirty percent of those who made a quit attempt using the full service of the Quitline – that is using NRT alongside support from an advisor and written information – were successfully quit six months after giving up. This compares to 15 percent who successfully quit without using the full service. “Using nicotine patches, gum and lozenges has never been shown to cause cancer or heart disease and these products are much safer than smoking.” Karly, from Hamilton, tried nicotine patches which she ordered through Quitline. “The patches helped me cope with the physical withdrawal symptoms and I slowly began to break all of my smoking habits such as lighting up when I made a telephone call or sharing a cigarette with friends.” In two weeks, Karly went from smoking around 15 cigarettes a day to just one. Within three months she was smokefree. “If you want to stop smoking, I would definitely recommend trying the patches. I look back now and can’t believe how chained I was to cigarettes. I feel a better person and a better mum, and I know I will never go back there.” Nicotine replacement therapy is heavily subsidised by the Government, with an eight-week supply of patches, gum or lozenges from an approved provider usually costing around $10. Dr McRobbie says low-cost nicotine replacement therapy is widely available. “You can get it through the Quitline – 0800 778 778, as well as from many GPs, midwives, dentists, optometrists, nurse practitioners, other community health workers and online.” It is also available from the Aukati KaiPaipa programme, a free service delivered locally within many communities. Aukati KaiPaipa (www.aukatikaipaipa.co.nz) offers Māori and their whānau the opportunity to quit smoking through a range of services, including nicotine replacement therapy, motivational counseling and ongoing support. Face the Facts is a smokefree education initiative developed by the Ministry of Health and Health Sponsorship Council. For further information About NRT: Dr Hayden McRobbie MB ChB PhD Senior Lecturer, AUT, School of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies Mobile 021 476 247 About Face the Facts: Karen Evison National Programme Manager Tobacco Policy & Implementation Team Ministry of Health Phone 07 8587018 Mobile 021 820948 or Marija Vidovich Manager Smokefree Health Sponsorship Council Phone 04 472 5777 Mobile 0274 734 222 www.facethefacts.org.nz