More thanr 26,000 Bay of Plenty smokers have been given help to quit during the past 15 months as a major health target is met for the first time.
Every year the Ministry of Health sets district health boards six health targets and tracks their progress against them quarterly. Part of the Better Help for Smokers to Quit target is that 90 per cent of Primary Health Organisation (PHO) enrolled patients who smoke are offered help to quit in the preceding 15 months.
This quarter, the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) has finally achieved the goal. It's the first time it has reached the target since it was set in 2015.
Health equity/public health portfolio manager Brian Pointon said in a media release he congratulated the organisations and people involved.
"Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of ill health across the whole population, including the impact on babies and children, as well as non-smoking adults. It is also the most important unhealthy behaviour that causes health inequalities for Māori. Having access to this advice, and making a decision to be smokefree will impact on the lives of these people and their families over the long term."