National Children's Day (Sunday 2 March) is an opportunity for parents and whānau to focus on protecting children from second-hand smoke says Quitline.
Research shows that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke and those who are exposed may suffer from many of the same diseases as regular smokers, such as coronary heart disease, lung cancer, acute stroke, eye and nasal irritation and nasal sinus cancer. Children are particularly vulnerable to second-hand smoke due to their smaller lungs and lower body weight and the fact that often they do not have the choice to move away from smoke.
Quitline Chief Executive, Paula Snowden says: "We can really make a difference to the health and well-being of children by protecting them from second hand smoke. We can do this by making our homes and cars smokefree and calling for the expansion of smokefree areas. It is also important to be a positive role model and not smoke around children. This means they are less likely to grow up to be smokers themselves."
Quitline's new pregnancy service aims to support pregnant women who smoke to quit and to remain smokefree after their baby is born. An important component of the service is also ensuring that the pregnant woman and baby are protected from second-hand smoke.
Smokers looking for support to quit smoking can call Quitline for free on 0800 778 778 or sign up at www.quit.org.nz
Last year Quitline helped more than 42,000 New Zealanders on their journey to become non-smokers. Smokers who use Quitline services are five times more likely to successfully quit than those who go it alone.