19 Sep 2018

Quitline to help Tongan smokers give up deadly habit

1:34 pm on 19 September 2018

Tonga has set up a new Quitline telephone support service to help smokers give up tobacco use as part of a hard-hitting campaign launched today.

Tonga quit smoking campaign

Photo: Supplied

The 'Quit Smoking Now' or Tuku Ifi Leva programme, highlights graphic images illustrating the risks of tobacco, with a specific focus on the link to heart attacks and strokes.

The Ministry of Health says 46 percent of men and 13 percent of women smoke in Tonga and many more, including children, are affected by second-hand smoke.

The Ministry's Tupou Tuilautala said they know that smokers will lose about ten years of their life, ten years without children, families and loved ones.

Mr Tuilautala said all Tongans have a right to live smokefree.

The programme will run for the next six weeks in Tongan media and includes social media videos on the impacts of smoking on the heart, lungs and brain.

Watch the Toxic Cycle - Quit Smoking Now Tonga video

Smokers motivated to quit by the campaign can receive advice and support from trained staff on the toll-free Quitline 0800 333.

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