Media release from the Quit Group

Paula Snowden, Chief Executive of The Quit Group which runs the free Quitline service, said:

"Two per cent is a significant drop, and very encouraging. In real terms, it means around 50,000 smokers successfully quit during that period. That's 50,000 individuals, and 50,000 families and whanau who are now experiencing the benefits of being smokefree, which is fantastic news.

"We must keep our foot on the throttle. New Zealanders want to quit - they are proving that. They are quitting to be healthier and better off, to smell nicer and not have the kids worrying about them. So let's help - by raising tobacco prices, banning cigarette displays, and by supporting them when they want to quit.

"During this period, The Quit Group signed up more than 56,000 smokers to our service. Many were successful, some will have gone back to the smokes, but they all took the decision to quit, and that's the vital first step. We all know quitting is easy - staying quit is hard. But we can help."