New Zealanders are rushing to try to stop smoking ahead of a new law that will make it illegal to light up in bars, cafés, restaurants and workplaces, which comes into effect on Friday, a newspaper reported on Monday.
Up to 700 people a week are telephoning the state-sponsored Quitline, which offers advice and support for smokers wanting to give up — twice the usual number for the time of year, manager Jane Mills told The Press, Christchurch.
”Historically, November and December are very quiet times for us,” she said. ”People are saying it’s a good time to give it a go — it will be easier, because they don’t have to become socially isolated.”
New Zealand has an estimated 750 000 smokers out of its total population of just more than four million.
Under the Smokefree Environments Amendment Act, smokers will be allowed to light up only out of doors.
No penalties will be imposed on smokers who defy the ban, but employers can be fined up to 4 000 New Zealand dollars (about R15 900) for failing to take reasonable steps to stop smoking on their premises.
Many bars and clubs have built balconies or outside decks to accommodate smokers who they fear will boycott their premises if they are not allowed to indulge their habit.
Quitline counsellors advise smokers to have a plan for coping with the times they usually smoked, such as drinking coffee, making a telephone call, or when they are stressed or tired.
The service, which estimates it has helped 23 000 smokers to give up over the past three years, also offers cut-price nicotine patches and gum to help them through the difficult initial stages of stopping smoking. — Sapa-DPA