Māori feature heavily in the statistics on tobacco smoking and related illnesses and disease. We urge whānau to seek help to quit smoking. Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga offers a programme, Aukati Kai Paipa for whānau living within Heretaunga that is supportive, compassionate and effective. Go to the Quick Links for more information.
The 2002/3 NZ Health Survey reported that, in Hawke's Bay 28.3%
of respondents smoke - this proportion varies by ethnicity with 53%
of Māori smoking and 23% of non-Māori smoking.
The prevalence of current smokers for Māori females is
persistently higher than that for Māori males.
Tobacco smoking has long been known to be a major cause of death
and ill health.
Smoking is a risk factor for cancers of the lung, mouth,
pharynx, oesophagus, larynx, pancreas and kidney. Most
cancers kill Māori at a significantly higher rate than they do
non-Māori.
Smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart
disease, and chronic respiratory disease) and
stroke.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in New
Zealand and the leading cause of premature mortality (deaths
between the ages of 45-64 yrs). Māori have significantly
higher mortality and disease rates from cardiovascular disease and
stroke than non-Māori.
As Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga General Manager of Health I support
the recent increase in the price of tobacco and a tobacco free iwi.
Although it is going to hit our whānau in the pocket, it has
already got our whānau talking seriously about giving up and, in
the end, it will not only save them money but they will feel better
for it. There are a range of successful smoking cessation support
services out there, such as Aukati Kai Paipa, so I encourage whānau
to seek them out and give it a go.
Patrick Le Geyt, General Manager Health Services
