Results from the ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) Snapshot Survey show smoking rates of Hutt Valley Year 10 students are below the national average, which is at an all-time low.
The survey describes the ‘daily’, ‘regular’ and ‘never’ smoking rates for Year 10 students. Only 2.3% per cent of Hutt Valley students surveyed were daily smokers compared with 2.8% nationally. Around 80 per cent of students have never smoked – not even to try a single puff!
New Zealand has set a goal of fewer than 5 per cent of all New Zealanders to be smokers by 2025. Hutt Valley District Health Board (DHB) CEO Dr Ashley Bloomfield hopes adults will follow the example set by our young people and do everything possible to eliminate smoking in the Hutt Valley.
“Our teens are leading the way towards a smokefree Hutt Valley and providing a great example, Dr Bloomfield says. “Adults can look to this fantastic achievement by our youth and support them and our children to stay smokefree, helping Hutt achieve the 2025 goal.”
World Smokefree Day on May 31 has the theme ‘It’s about whānau': keeping our children, whānau and future generations free of second-hand smoke. The day provides a great opportunity for smokers to give up smoking, Dr Bloomfield says.
“While giving up isn’t easy, support is available and smokers can call Quitline (0800 778 778) any time day or night to get advice and encouragement. The important thing is to keep trying – most smokers make many quit attempts before quitting completely.”
Dr Bloomfield also welcomes Hutt City’s new and extended smokefree policy which aims to help the city’s children ‘stop before they start’ by reducing the visibility of smoking and reducing the effects of second-hand smoke in public places.
