Quitline has attributed a spike in calls to the new tobacco tax.
More than 100 Bay of Plenty smokers have taken the first step towards kicking the habit since the start of the year.
Quitline reported 42 new registrations in the Lakes District Health Board region this year, with an additional 72 in the Bay of Plenty DHB region between January 1
and 7.
The high number of people quitting is being attributed to the 10 per cent increase in tobacco excise on January 1, Quitline chief executive Paula Snowden said.
"A price increase always prompts smokers to try to quit the addiction.
"This year we've seen big cost increases across most tobacco brands. One of the cheaper packs of 20, for example, has gone up by 21 per cent this year.
