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Smokefree Services | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai

Public Service, Community, Stop Smoking

Today

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

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SMOKEFREE PATIENTS

If you currently smoke then stopping smoking is the best step you can take to reduce the harm to your health and wellbeing. 

As we are smokefree, if you are admitted to our hospital you can expect health professionals to ask you if you smoke and to offer you support to become smoke free. 

We are here to help you. We know how difficult it can be to go through the stop smoking process.

If you suddenly stop smoking the cravings to smoke are likely to be very strong initially, you may well experience headaches and anxiety, and it's easy to be irritated by people around you. We do not want that to happen to you so we are ready and willing to provide you with nicotine patches, gum, lozenges and/or the Nicorette inhalator to manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms that you may experience whilst in hospital.

Staff

Catherine Kaumoana
Team Lead Smokefree Services
Community Health & Whānau Wellbeing
Northern Region 
National Public Health


0800 667 833 Ext: 27867 
Smokefree@adhb.govt.nz 

+64 27 326 7334
ckaumoana@adhb.govt.nz

Referral Expectations

Prior to a hospital admission for surgery, investigations or treatment it would be advisable to stop smoking for at least two weeks to prevent post-operative or treatment complications. Smoke inhalation inhibits lung function, facilitates blood clotting, reduces oxygen supply to vital organs and impacts negatively on a healthy immune system.

Quitting smoking prior to surgery can prevent complications that can happen post surgery such as lung or wound infections. Carbon monoxide is contained in inhaled cigarette smoke and causes the red cells in your blood to clot. Blood clotting as a result of smoking is what causes strokes and heart attacks to occur. As soon as carbon monoxide is removed from the bloodstream by not inhaling smoke then the level of oxygen available in the body for healing increases.

Counties Manukau

If you live in the Counties Manukau area you can obtain all information here.

 

Hours

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Smokefree Resources

Smokefree Contractors/ NGOs

Regional Support for Smokefree Issues By far the most comprehensive local support for Auckland employers wishing to establish a Smokefree compliant workplace, both physically and in its documentation, is to ask for help from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service. Information is found by following the link: Auckland Regional Public Health Service-Smokefree At this site you will find documentary resources to create a company policy and a company smokefree statement. What are the aims of the smokefree law? The aims are to: protect all workers and the public from second-hand smoke reduce the harm caused to individuals by their smoking further restrict minors (under 18) access to smoking products and prevent negative influences on young people further promote a smokefree (auahikore) lifestyle as the norm. What do the smoke free laws mean for employers? The following website provides very useful information for employers: http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/tobacco-control/smokefree-law The Ministry of Health is responsible for the laws relating to smoking in the workplace. With very limited exceptions, the law requires employers to ensure that workplaces are smokefree by taking 'all reasonably practicable steps'. Reasonably practicable steps might include: display of smokefree signs in the workplace reference to the smokefree policy in workplace employment agreements and recruitment policies notifying service contractors of the smokefree policy training managers and supervisors on what to do if someone smokes in the workplace. If smoking occurs in a workplace and the employer has failed to take such steps, an employee may lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Health. More detailed information and guidance on the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003 can be found at the website above. Workplaces From 10 December 2004 smokefree restrictions were expanded so that all indoor workplaces became 100 percent smokefree, including offices, warehouses, factories, ‘smoko’ rooms, taxis, internal areas of trains and ships, prisons and travel premises such as terminals and passenger lounges. Limited exceptions apply for some work vehicles and home-like environments such as individual prison cells, rest homes, hospitals, hotel rooms and residential care facilities. Resoures for smokefree premises To assist in communicating the “smokefree” message in premises and organisations, smokefree stickers, signs and pamphlets can be ordered from the local public health service above. A list of the items available can also be viewed at the Ministry of Health’s “Health Education Resources” website, at www.healthed.govt.nz. There are a number of items available under the search topic of “smokefree”. Smokefree Environments (PDF, 205.2 KB) Original Descriptor of when a Smokefree area is determined. Smokefree Policy Development (PDF, 168.3 KB) Statements to enable an employer to develop a simple policy. Organisational Statement (PDF, 118.3 KB) A useful precise statement to comply with the Act.

Regional Support for Smokefree Issues

By far the most comprehensive local support for Auckland employers wishing to establish a Smokefree compliant workplace, both physically and in its documentation, is to ask for help from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service. Information is found by following the link:

Auckland Regional Public Health Service-Smokefree

At this site you will find documentary resources to create a company policy and a company smokefree statement.

 

What are the aims of the smokefree law?

The aims are to:

  • protect all workers and the public from second-hand smoke
  • reduce the harm caused to individuals by their smoking
  • further restrict minors (under 18) access to smoking products and prevent negative       influences on young people
  • further promote a smokefree (auahikore) lifestyle as the norm.

What do the smoke free laws mean for employers?

The following website provides very useful information for employers:

http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/tobacco-control/smokefree-law

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the laws relating to smoking in the workplace.

With very limited exceptions, the law requires employers to ensure that workplaces are smokefree by taking 'all reasonably practicable steps'.

Reasonably practicable steps might include:

  • display of smokefree signs in the workplace
  • reference to the smokefree policy in workplace employment agreements and recruitment policies
  • notifying service contractors of the smokefree policy
  • training managers and supervisors on what to do if someone smokes in the workplace.

If smoking occurs in a workplace and the employer has failed to take such steps, an employee may lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Health.

More detailed information and guidance on the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003 can be found at the website above.

Workplaces

From 10 December 2004 smokefree restrictions were expanded so that all indoor workplaces became 100 percent smokefree, including offices, warehouses, factories, ‘smoko’ rooms, taxis, internal areas of trains and ships, prisons and travel premises such as terminals and passenger lounges.

Limited exceptions apply for some work vehicles and home-like environments such as individual prison cells, rest homes, hospitals, hotel rooms and residential care facilities.

Resoures for smokefree premises

To assist in communicating the “smokefree” message in premises and organisations, smokefree stickers, signs and pamphlets can be ordered from the local public health service above. A list of the items available can also be viewed at the Ministry of Health’s “Health Education Resources” website, at www.healthed.govt.nz. There are a number of items available under the search topic of “smokefree”.

Smoking Cessation

Managing Nicotine Withdrawal The tobacco leaf contains nicotine. Nicotine is found in all plants of the "nightshade" family - tomatoes, chillies, eggplant, peppers, potatoes and berries - as well as tobacco. It's presence protects the plant from insects. Unfortunately when rapidly taken into the human body by inhalation it becomes an addictive drug. It replaces a normal chemical in the brain and takes over its functions and magnifies them. So when the smoke from a burning tobacco leaf is inhaled there comes a point where the initial coughing and nausea is supplanted by a feeling of calmness and slight euphoria. This sense of "enjoyment" is what keeps a person wanting to smoke in spite of the harm that results from the other toxic chemicals in the smoke. Stopping smoking is all about trying to move a person away from tobacco smoke inhalation. Because nicotine is rapidly removed from the body when it passes through the liver and kidneys its lack causes the person to crave for more. At first the craving is mild but after a few hours it grows in strength and eventually becomes so persistent that the person is driven to smoke again. These cravings to smoke are part of a group of feelings - like irritability, headache, difficulty concentrating, and general discomfort - that are known as nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Hospital staff and management recognise this situation and so will be asking you to use nicotine patches and lozenges or gum whilst in hospital to prevent the nicotine withdrawal symptoms in the same way as someone in pain will be asked to take painkillers to keep comfortable. They are not forcing you in any way to quit smoking but would obviously prefer that you did not smoke as doing so will make your health worse i.e. preventing good wound healing, preventing quick recovery from an infection, making chest pains worse, preventing re-inflation of a collapsed lung and so on. Stop before the Op (PDF, 526.1 KB) Stopping smoking before surgery means better and faster healing and reduces the chance of infection. Quit B4 It's Lit (PDF, 1.3 MB) This document gives you reasons to stop smoking as well as the process to do so. 2B Smokefree (PDF, 547.9 KB) This brochure gives you the help and options to stop smoking by yourself by clarifying how to use stop smoking products in clear and simple language.

Managing Nicotine Withdrawal

The tobacco leaf contains nicotine. Nicotine is found in all plants of the "nightshade" family - tomatoes, chillies, eggplant, peppers, potatoes and berries - as well as tobacco. It's presence protects the plant from insects.

Unfortunately when rapidly taken into the human body by inhalation it becomes an addictive drug. It replaces a normal chemical in the brain and takes over its functions and magnifies them. So when the smoke from a burning tobacco leaf is inhaled there comes a point where the initial coughing and nausea is supplanted by a feeling of calmness and slight euphoria. This sense of "enjoyment" is what keeps a person wanting to smoke in spite of the harm that results from the other toxic chemicals in the smoke. Stopping smoking is all about trying to move a person away from tobacco smoke inhalation.

Because nicotine is rapidly removed from the body when it passes through the liver and kidneys its lack causes the person to crave for more. At first the craving is mild but after a few hours it grows in strength and eventually becomes so persistent that the person is driven to smoke again.

These cravings to smoke are part of a group of feelings - like irritability, headache, difficulty concentrating, and general discomfort - that are known as nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Hospital staff and management recognise this situation and so will be asking you to use nicotine patches and lozenges or gum whilst in hospital to prevent the nicotine withdrawal symptoms in the same way as someone in pain will be asked to take painkillers to keep comfortable. They are not forcing you in any way to quit smoking but would obviously prefer that you did not smoke as doing so will make your health worse i.e. preventing good wound healing, preventing quick recovery from an infection, making chest pains worse, preventing re-inflation of a collapsed lung and so on.

  • Stop before the Op (PDF, 526.1 KB)

    Stopping smoking before surgery means better and faster healing and reduces the chance of infection.

  • Quit B4 It's Lit (PDF, 1.3 MB)

    This document gives you reasons to stop smoking as well as the process to do so.

  • 2B Smokefree (PDF, 547.9 KB)

    This brochure gives you the help and options to stop smoking by yourself by clarifying how to use stop smoking products in clear and simple language.

Quitline

Quitline provides a free telephone advice service (0800 778 778), text service (www.txt2quit.org.nz) and a Quitter Blog support group at www.quit.org.nz. The Quitline telephone service (0800 778 778) is available at the following times: Monday to Friday 0800-2130, Sun 1000-1730. Quit Cards are supplied by Quitline. These are subsidy cards that are taken to a pharmacy to obtain nicotine therapy (NRT) products. A completed Quit Card can provide 12 weeks of subsidised nicotine patches, gum or lozenges for $5.00 per product. Nicotine patches, gum or lozenges double the chances of someone being able to stay stopped for a lengthy period of time.

Quitline provides a free telephone advice service (0800 778 778), text service (www.txt2quit.org.nz) and a Quitter Blog support group at www.quit.org.nz.

The Quitline telephone service (0800 778 778) is available at the following times:
Monday to Friday 0800-2130, Sun 1000-1730.

Quit Cards are supplied by Quitline. These are subsidy cards that are taken to a pharmacy to obtain nicotine therapy (NRT) products. A completed Quit Card can provide 12 weeks of subsidised nicotine patches, gum or lozenges for $5.00 per product. Nicotine patches, gum or lozenges double the chances of someone being able to stay stopped for a lengthy period of time.

General Practitioner

Your GP can also prescribe NRT at the subsidised rate of $5.00 per item for 8 weeks supply (NRT - Nicotine Replacement Therapy). GPs can also prescribe non nicotine based stop smoking medication. There are 2 medications that are fully subsidised: Zyban and Norpress. And there is one that is subsidised but only when certain criteria are met; it is called Champix and has a good associated quit rate. Many GP practices and medical centres have trained stop smoking nurses who can support you to quit and follow you up. In some cases there is no charge for this and in other practices there is a nominal fee.

Your GP can also prescribe NRT at the subsidised rate of $5.00 per item for 8 weeks supply (NRT -  Nicotine Replacement Therapy).

GPs can also prescribe non nicotine based stop smoking medication. There are 2 medications that are fully subsidised: Zyban and Norpress. And there is one that is subsidised but only when certain criteria are met; it is called Champix and has a good associated quit rate.

Many GP practices and medical centres have trained stop smoking nurses who can support you to quit and follow you up. In some cases there is no charge for this and in other practices there is a nominal fee.

Stop Smoking Service in central, west and north Auckland

Ready, Steady, Quit is the community stop smoking service funded by the Ministry of Health and provided by a local PHO. It provides quit support for all people and their families who live or work in the Te Toka Tumai and Waitematā areas. Their services are free of charge and they offer information, advice and resources, and nicotine replacement therapy to support the smoker to quit and stay smoke-free. Quit smoking practitioners provide face-to-face or telephone counselling on a one-to-one, or in a group, basis. Anyone can access their service through referrals from their GP or other healthcare provider, family or by self referral. Contact details are:Tel. 0800 500 601 (including after hours). Email: You can visit the website at: https://readysteadyquit.org.nz and complete the "Stop Smoking Referral Form" online.

Ready, Steady, Quit is the community stop smoking service funded by the Ministry of Health and provided by a local PHO. It provides quit support for all people and their families who live or work in the Te Toka Tumai and Waitematā areas.
  
Their services are free of charge and they offer information, advice and resources, and nicotine replacement therapy to support the smoker to quit and stay smoke-free. Quit smoking practitioners provide face-to-face or telephone counselling on a one-to-one, or in a group, basis. Anyone can access their service through referrals from their GP or other healthcare provider, family or by self referral.

Contact details are:Tel. 0800 500 601 (including after hours). Email:  

You can visit the website at: https://readysteadyquit.org.nz and complete the "Stop Smoking Referral Form" online.

Aotea Health - Great Barrier Island

Face-to-face counselling and telephone support available. There are three nurses available at the centre plus a GP. The nurse can supply a Quit Card and some Nicotine Replacement Therapy products. Contact: Aotea Health Medical Centre, Hector Sanderson Road, Claris, RD1, Great Barrier Island Tel. (09) 429 0356; service available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Face-to-face counselling and telephone support available. There are three nurses available at the centre plus a GP. The nurse can supply a Quit Card and some Nicotine Replacement Therapy products.

Contact:

Aotea Health Medical Centre, Hector Sanderson Road, Claris, RD1, Great Barrier Island
Tel. (09) 429 0356; service available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Programmes

Smokefree Services

Programme Areas Smoking cessation Programme Type Face to face smoking cessation, Maternal smoking cessation, Training - smoking cessation Regions Central Auckland Age Groups Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua Referral Types Self referral, DHB clinical services

Programme Areas

Smoking cessation

Programme Type

Face to face smoking cessation, Maternal smoking cessation, Training - smoking cessation

Regions

Central Auckland

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

Referral Types

Self referral, DHB clinical services

Document Downloads

  • Stop Before the Op (PDF, 1.9 MB)

    Stopping smoking before any surgery is the best step you can take to ensure your postoperative recovery is the best possible. Please read the brochure.

  • Quit B4 it's Lit (PDF, 1.3 MB)

    General pamphlet to give the person an understanding of the processes necessary to be put in place for a successful quit attempt.

Contact Details

Greenlane Clinical Centre

Central Auckland

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

214 Green Lane West
Epsom
Auckland 1051

Information about this location

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Get directions

Street Address

214 Green Lane West
Epsom
Auckland 1051

Postal Address

Northern Region NPHS
Tamaki Makaurau Smokefree Services
Greenlane Clinical Centre
PO Box 92189, Auckland 1142

This page was last updated at 12:30PM on July 1, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Smokefree Services | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai.