Kiwis need psychological help to quit smoking

Dr Hayden McRobbie, a Senior Lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology, and Smoking Cessation Specialist says that psychological encouragement is the key to helping a smoker quit permanently.

In New Zealand there are 5,000* deaths caused by smoking-related diseases every year – while many smokers are determined to stop Dr McRobbie says most are ill-prepared.

Dr McRobbie says most smokers try the ‘cold turkey’ approach which is actually associated with the lowest chances of quitting long-term.

“Stopping smoking can be difficult for some people and many don’t last even a few days when they quit on their own. During the quitting process people often forget the reasons why they wanted to quit – reminding them of these reasons can motivate people to stay stopped”, he says.

Dr McRobbie says the chances of quitting permanently are increased 300% if a smoker seeks the best treatment – a combination of medicine and psychological support.

“Stopping smoking is the best thing a person can do to prevent the risk of an early death. There are no magic cures for smoking, however we are fortunate to have access to many treatments that make quitting smoking easier and increase the chances of stopping smoking for good.”

Dr McRobbie says current figures show that half of all smokers will die as a consequence of smoking and half of these people will die in middle-age and not be around to see their children and grandchildren grow up unless they stop smoking.

Current research** proves that getting support from stop smoking programmes significantly increases the chances of quitting for good compared to going it alone.

A new programme utilising interactive technology to provide ongoing support for smokers has just launched in New Zealand.

The ACTIVESTOP® programme, created by a Norwegian Professor of Psychology, offers a number of personalised support messages via text, emails, web and interactive voice response technologies.

The ACTIVESTOP® support programme also features a 24-hour-a-day Craving Help-line which plays a recording of the consumer’s voice to remind them of their reasons for quitting. In some cases those desperate to quit have used their children’s and partner’s voices as a verbal conscience.

Research** shows that combining a system such as the ACTIVESTOP® programme with a nicotine replacement therapy like NICORETTE® products more than doubles a smoker’s chances of successfully quitting smoking compared to will-power alone.

The 14 week ACTIVESTOP® programme is made up of three distinct phases designed to give the smoker support and encourage them to stay smoke-free.

The ‘prep phase’ of the program utilises motivational techniques to help the committed quitter and give them the best possible chance of succeeding.

The programme concludes with 7 days of advice and mentoring on how to stay smoke-free for life – giving the consumer the tools to cope in any future situations where the temptation to smoke may arise.
-Ends-




Notes to editors:
*Data from www.deathsfromsmoking.net  suggests that approximately 5,000 New Zealanders die from smoking each year (or 13 people per day).
**Nicorette data on File

Nicorette is a stop smoking aid which contains nicotine in varying quantities. Nicorette inhaler is a Pharmacy Medicine. Please refer to product pack for further details. Medicines have benefits and some may have risks. Always read the label carefully and use only as directed. If you have any side effects or require further information consult your healthcare professional. Johnson & Johnson New Zealand Ltd, Auckland. ® Registered Trademark.

Dr Hayden McRobbie MB, ChB, PhD
Dr Hayden McRobbie is a Medical Practitioner with international experience in smoking cessation research and treatment, and tobacco control. He studied medicine at the University of Otago and after graduating in 1996 spent three years working in hospitals in Auckland before heading to London.

He worked for six years as a Research Fellow and Clinician at the Tobacco Dependence Research and Treatment Centre at Barts and The London School of Medicine. It was here that he studied for a PhD under the supervsion of Professor Peter Hajek.

Hayden has extensive experience in establishing smoking cessation services in community and hospital settings as well as providing smoking cessation treatment. In addition Hayden has been involved in training healthcare professionals in smoking cessation and has also contributed to numerous expert bodies, committees, working groups and conferences.

He is currently a Senior Lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Associate Editor for the Journal of Nicotine and Tobacco Research, Deputy Editor of the Journal of Smoking Cessation, a member of the Society for Research of Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) and the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD).