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Settlement the size of Mt Cook wiped out by smoking deaths
Dr Julian Crane of Capital & Coast District Health Board says the equivalent of a settlement the size of Mt Cook is wiped out every year because of smoking.
He was commenting on Face the Facts, a new series of messages to inform and educate the public about the health risks associated with smoking. Face the Facts is part of the Ministry of Health's ongoing tobacco control programme.
The first fact being highlighted is that 5,000 New Zealanders die annually from smoking.
"Five thousand is such a big number that it's hard to comprehend. But to put it into context, just over 5,500 people live in Mt Cook, so 5,000 deaths is the equivalent of losing everyone in Mt Cook, every year.
"And the really shocking thing is these deaths are preventable. We live in a developed country, yet we still watch 5,000 people die needlessly from tobacco use each year. How have we let this happen?"
Face the Facts will present a range of smoking facts over the coming months to communicate the truth about tobacco and the effects of smoking, not only on the individual but also on families and the community.
Dr Julian Crane says he hopes Face the Facts will bring home to the people of the Greater Wellington region the stark reality of the illness and death caused by smoking.
"Half of continuing of smokers will die early from smoking. Those are terrible odds. In the Capital & Coast DHB area, that equates to about 24,393 people if we look at current smoking statistics. This is a huge loss to many families and to our community in general.
"Quitting smoking isn't easy, but there are now considerable opportunities for help with quitting and it will lengthen your life."
Face the Facts has been developed by the Health Sponsorship Council in conjunction with the Ministry of Health. It has the support of major health organisations in New Zealand.
Further information can be found on: www.facethefacts.org.nz.
Contact:
Ben Everist
Smokefree DHB Coordinator
027 435 0315