And while there was no quick fix, getting help increased a quitter's chances of succeeding.
"Doing it with your friends, your workmates or your family will help you stay the distance and come October 31, you will be that much closer to being smokefree," said Ms Lindsay.
Help for those wanting to quit includes daily emails and texts, and a free Stoptober app, which has stress-release support in te reo Maori and English and the Stoptober website that directs people towards free stop smoking treatments in their area, including face-to-face, online and phone counselling.
The Auckland District Health Board's manager of smokefree services, Karen Stevens, said quitters who went it alone had far less chance of staying smokefree than people who attended group programmes.
She said based on results in Britain, those who attended the group programmes had a 60 per cent chance of not smoking again.
The ADHB, among others, is running similar programmes that run for seven weeks.
"People know they're doing it together, there's that whole 'we're in this together, guys' going on, whereas a person quitting by themselves their chances for staying smokefree for any length of time are 3 per cent," Ms Stevens said.
Statistics NZ figures show smoking kills 5000 people each year or about 13 every day, making it the biggest cause of premature death in New Zealand.
The figures reveal there are more than 500,000 daily smokers in New Zealand and smoking is most prevalent among Maori and Pacific people.
An estimated 36.1 per cent of Maori and 22.1 per cent of Pacific people smoke, compared with 13.4 per cent of Pakeha and 8.6 per cent of the Asian population.
Q & A
How many people die from smoking?
Five thousand New Zealanders each year, or about 13 people every day. It is the biggest cause of premature death in New Zealand.
In what nationality is smoking most prevalent?
In Maori and Pacific communities - an estimated 36.1 per cent of Maori and 22.1 per cent of Pacific people smoke, compared to 13.4 per cent of Pakeha and 8.6 per cent of the Asian population.
Where can you get help to quit smoking?
Visit, www.quit.org.nz, call Quitline on 0800 778 778 for free advice and support to quit smoking. A Quitline adviser will help to create a quit smoking plan. The adviser will help you understand the smoking addiction - you will identify the reasons why you smoke. And you'll get tips and suggestions on how to beat cravings.
What is Stoptober?
A 31-day quit smoking challenge designed to help thousands of Kiwis kick the smoking habit for good and it begins today. Stoptober offers free daily texts, emails and a free mobile app. It also has social media, radio, television and events happening throughout the country.
Visit stoptobernz.co.nz
Four smokers on a mission
Laurie Holmes was a prolific sportsman - but he was also a packet-a-day man, picking up a smoking habit at 12 - one that he hasn't been able to shake for more than 40 years.
The 56-year-old drainlayer is on a seven-week programme to kick the habit that until recently cost him more than $120 a week. He says a group programme run by the Auckland District Health Board was a good way to keep him honest and helped him focus on giving up.
Participants smoke for the first three weeks as they reduce their cigarette intake. Mr Holmes says in his second week he has gone from smoking between 20 to 25 cigarettes a day to two or three.
Deb Fox has smoked for more than 40 years and remembers "nearly choking to death" on her first drag.
The 59-year-old landscaping consultant is on a stop smoking group programme, determined to quit after feeling great in the time she managed to give up for six months this year.
She says saving money will be good but she's also concerned for her health. "I'm getting old and I want to enjoy being old and I don't want to suffocate."
Wayne McDowell has enjoyed smoking for more than 40 years. But a heart attack about three months ago has strengthened his resolve to finally kick his habit.
The 57-year-old sales manager is attending a Stoptober group but he's also getting one-on-one help once a week from a stop-smoking coach.
John Corbett remembers saying to himself over 20 years ago that when the price of a packet of 20 cigarettes hit $5 he would quit. It's now close to $19 and he's still smoking.
The 64-year-old truck driver started smoking as a teenager, gave up then started again after he got married in his 20s. He's tried giving up several times.
He has joined another group programme and wants to quit for good because of a "new lady friend in my life".
The Herald will follow all four smokers' progress through October.
