Everyone can be smokefree.

People have said that being smokefree means you're in control of your life. It means you and your whānau are able to enjoy life to its fullest and will be around a lot longer to share the fun and knowledge.

If you are already smokefree be proud of it. A lot of people find it hard to be smokefree, even though they want to be. If you know people who smoke, support them when they need it. Talk to your kids about being smokefree.

What being smokefree might mean to you

• You are part of the more than 80% of New Zealanders that are smokefree.
• You don't have to worry about the impact smoking will have on your health.
• Your knowledge will be able to be shared with the next generations.
• There's less chance that your kids will smoke.
• Your whānau can live a healthier life.
• Tobacco and the tobacco industry don't control your life.
• You can get active and/or play sport for longer.
• You are supporting someone you love to be smokefree.
• You don't have to worry about where the money's coming from for the next packet of cigarettes.
• You are part of the move to make Aotearoa/New Zealand smokefree by 2025.
• You were born smokefree and want to stay that way.
• Your car is smokefree because you're trying to quit.
• You're on the journey to quitting and have been smokefree for two days, three weeks, or three years.
• You want to be smokefree but are finding it really hard.
• And there's lots more...

What influences whether people are smokefree or not?

Whānau

• Supportive family members can make it a lot easier for people who are trying to quit smoking by encouraging quit attempts.
• Let your whānau know that you have a smokefree home and car. Have rules about no smoking in the car or house or outside around your kids.
• If you and your whānau are smokefree there is less chance that the young people in the family will get addicted to tobacco.
• Even parents who smoke can make a positive difference in their kids' lives by tallking about being smokefree, the risks of smoking, and how hard it is to quit.

People around you

• Role modelling is important for young people. The less they see smoking the less likely they are to start.
• Some people smoke because others around them are smoking.
• Being around people who are smoking makes it harder for those people trying to quit.
• Check out the Helping others and Need support pages for information on how you can be there for someone.

The physical environment

• Research shows that those who trying to quit are supported by smokefree environments, as they don't have to face the opportunity to smoke.
• The more places that are smokefree are the more likely it is that smoking will be seen as less normal and more harmful.

The tobacco industry

• The tobacco industry has worked hard to make tobacco very addictive. Research shows that tobacco is more addictive now than it was 20 years ago. Eighty percent of current smokers would not smoke if they had their lives over again.
• Tobacco packaging and branding is cleverly designed to be attractive, which makes it harder for people trying to quit to be successful. Within shops tobacco is often placed in high profile areas that are very easy to see. However, legislation introduced in July 2011 means tobacco retail displays will be completely banned from July 2012.
• Visit the ASH website for information about the tobacco industry in New Zealand...

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