Stop Smoking: Radio

Friday, 29 October 2010

Pharmac says stop-smoking drug will be closely monitored - Radio New Zealand

Updated at 1:29pm on 28 October 2010

Drug-buying agency Pharmac is to fund another treatment to help people quit smoking.

The smoking cessation treatment known as Champix will become available next week on prescription for adults.

The move is part of a multi-product agreement between Pharmac and the drug firm Pfizer.

Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie says Champix will be part of Medsafe's Intensive Medicines Monitoring programme, because of safety concerns.

Dr Moodie says anyone wanting to go on Champix should have first tried other simpler treatments, such as nicotine replacement therapy, Zyban, and nortriptyline.

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Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Few inmates seeking support to stop smoking - Radio New Zealand

Updated at 9:00 am today

Few inmates are taking the opportunity to call New Zealand's leading quit-smoking programme, eight months out from a smoking ban taking effect in prisons.

The ban was announced in June to outlaw tobacco, lighters and matches in jails and takes effect in the country's 20 prisons from 1 July next year.

There are almost 8800 inmates in jails throughout the country, but Quitline took just 39 calls in July, 49 in August and 47 in September.

A call centre adviser at Quitline says he would have expected more calls and questions whether inmates are hearing enough about the ban.

However, the Department of Corrections says the low numbers are expected.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins says she expects inmates' calls to the Quitline will rise significantly in the lead-up to the ban being enforced in July.

Listen to more on Morning Report

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