Quitters seek better health

Ray Allsworth, of Ray's Barbershop in Kuripuni, decided to stop smoking about a year ago.

He and his wife visited a nurse at the medical centre to talk about the best way to do it, and have successfully stopped for five months now.

Mr Allsworth, who had been smoking for more than 20 years and had a 20-a-day habit before he quit with the help of Champix, says health was the main motivator.

His two sons, 8 and 4, form part of the support crew for their parents.

"My 8-year-old thinks it's absolutely great. He said to me the other day, 'If anyone offers you a smoke you put it on the ground and stomp it out'."

Mr Allsworth says price played a small part in his decision to quit, but dedicated smokers were unlikely to be deterred by price hikes.

"No matter how you do it, whether it's Champix, Zyban, whatever, you still need willpower.

"If you don't want to 100 per cent stop then you won't stop."

A 36-year-old Masterton woman, Ange, says price is not a factor for her.

She says giving up smoking may be next year's New Year resolution, but that price hikes have never made a difference - she just reprioritises how she spends her money.

She has been smoking since she was 12, except for a period of about eight months, and currently smokes a pack of 30 a day at a cost of $20 a pack.

Although she is keen to give up, now is not the right time.

"My Dad died in May and my house is in probate - I'd like to give up but it's not a good time, I've got major stresses."