The Hapai Hour
We have had some wonderful guests on the Hapai Hour over the last month. Hosted by Rangi McLean and Carnation Hetaraka they recently spoke to Boyd Broughton (Ngā Puhi/ Ngāti Porou) about his organisation ASH and their flagship programme Stoptober. As most of you will know Stoptober is a mass quitting programme where participants will try their very best not to smoke over the month of October and according to many experts, if you can survive those 31 days being smoke free, you are 5 times more likely to stay smoke free if you wish to continue that journey.
"Stoptober began last year 2014" says Boyd. Since 2014 participatory rates have increased to over 10,000 registrations. “We need to keep increasing registrations in as many ways as we can. For instance whānau who don’t have access can still register manually and send in their registrations" says Boyd. Boyd believes for Stoptober to enjoy a continued success, it will need to be accessible, supportive, affordable and adaptable”. Boyd believes Stoptober is the end of one chapter and the start of another”
We also spoke to Rebecca Ruwhiu-Collins (Ngā Puhi), a stop smoking specialist, about the science of quitting.
- What should whānau expect?
- Things that can tautoko the journey
- Where can we get extra support?
- Tools to help quit smoking more successful
“Medicines for quit smoking purposes is alternative to going cold turkey” says Rebecca. “Choosing the right medicine can help whānau stay smokefree. Examples of medication include gum, patches, lozenges or medicine like Champix help to minimize cravings”.
Celebrating our whānau who have registered into a quit smoking programme is an acknowledgement of those services who reach out to whānau, our most precious resource. “The science of quitting smoking is an Art" says Rebecca.”
There are four key areas to succeed with Stoptober these include commitment, motivation, support and environment. Science helps to unpack the psychological, habitual traits that present in smokers.
Brent Mio and Arnia Tamihana-Surrich two registrants on the Stoptober programme shared with the audience their personal journey into Stoptober thus far. "The struggle is real" says Brent but it’s awesome being smokefree 17 days into the journey (at the time of the interview). "Support from my fiancée and saving money and has been awesome" says Arnia.
And finally Zoe Martin-Hawke Ngāti Hako/ Ngāti Paoa (Te Ara Hā Ora) gave a talk about the environmental influences on smoking behaviour and changing the wider environment to support whānau in their quitting journey. "Effective implementation of regulation and legislation is vital to providing supportive environments for whānau who have joined the waka of quit smoking. "To feel supported, but more importantly, having the spaces that support their efforts to be smoke-free will help increase successful quitting" says Zoe.
Be sure to catch more kōrero on the Hapai Hour hosted by Rangi McLean every Tuesday 11am-12pm.
