Smokers tax toll-free lines

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 3

Smokers tax toll-free lines

Smokers trying to stop the habit and grapple with cigarette cravings have crowded the Smoke-free toll-free telephone support lines. Since the national lines opened at 2 p.m. on Monday — the first day of the Great New Zealand Smoke-free Week — they have rung continuously. The response had been fantastic, said the support lines co-ordinator, Mrs Alison Coney, in Auckland yesterday. Callers included men and women of all ages and at all stages of quitting smoking. Some had telephoned for advice about how to give up smoking and many for support during times of intense cigarette craving. One woman telephoned to vent her feelings. She was feeling “awful” trying

to kick the habit, and it was “our fault,” said Mrs Coney. A surprising number of calls had come from teenagers who wanted to stop smoking. The team which mans the telephones includes volunteers from the Cancer Society, Heart Foundation, lifeline, hospitals, and Auckland University as well as trained individuals. They offer advice on giving up, explain that callers can expect to feel bad because the body is addicted to nicotine and it will take a few days or weeks to get over withdrawal symptoms, and give support to those who want someone to say “keep going.” Calls to the hot-line will go toll-free to Auckland from the following South Island lines: Christchurch, 797-397, 797-398, 797-399; and Dunedin, 771-155. The lines will be open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. until July 13.