Looking at a set of a smoker's damaged lungs and heart on television has been enough of a wake-up call for Rotorua father Cameron Taua to quit smoking.
The 40-year-old says he was watching a Dr Oz programme about the damage smoking causes about three months ago and decided to kick the habit after seeing the diseased lung and heart of a smoker who died.
"It was pretty disgusting. A real wake-up call,'' he says.
Cameron is speaking out about his battle in support of a local quit smoking campaign being run by Rotorua Area Primary Health Services (RAPHS). He says he started smoking while in jail 18 years ago as everyone else smoked.
"It was just to be part of the crowd. Everyone smoked.''
Going to the doctor after watching the talk show, Cameron says he was prescribed Champix, a quit smoking drug and within two weeks had given up totally.
"It worked. I was still smoking but not getting anything from it and by the second week I had stopped altogether ... Now no one is allowed to smoke in the house or the car.''
At the time Cameron decided to give up he was spending about $120 a week, or smoking one packet daily, and often got breathless when out hunting with mates or diving.
It could creep up to two packets when drinking with mates though, Cameron says.
"I was pretty unfit. I was always getting puffed when in the bush but didn't really think about it because I was having fun.''
These days he has all the energy in the world, doing weight training daily and is saving money he normally used from the family budget. Food even tastes better, he says.
"It's all sweet. I've got heaps of energy ... I've got my taste buds back too. They really came alive. I'm really enjoying my food. I've put on 8kg.''
He admits it hasn't been a walk in the park though and couldn't have done it without support from Korowai Aroha cessation nurse Makere Herbert.
"She texts me all the time. No way could I have done it without her help.''
He hopes other smokers will follow his lead.
"Do it for your kids. You won't believe how good life can be. I don't wake up coughing up tar any more.''
Rotorua Area Primary Health Services health promoter Pollyanne Taare says the quit smoking campaign running until the end of October is aimed at increasing awareness of available smoking cessation programmes and encouraging those who want to quit smoking to seek help from a provider.
Research shows 24 per cent of those enrolled with a Health Rotorua doctor or clinic aged between 15 to 74 years old are known to be smokers.
"This is over 10,000 people,'' she says.
There are many quit smoking cessation providers throughout the city and region. Pollyanne says people who want to give up will receive advice from cessation nurses who will support them in their journey to being smoke-free.
FREE SMOKING CESSATION SERVICE PROVIDERS
Health Reporoa _ (07) 333 7301 or text 0272522849
Korowai Aroha Health Centre _ (07) 348 8454
Lakes DHB (pregnant women) _ contact midwife or text 0275117734
Aukati KaiPaipa Kaimahi (Murupara) _ (07) 366 5505 or text 021 2607738
Ngongotaha Medical Centre _ (07) 357 1030
Rotorua Area Primary Health Services _ (07) 921 7163 or email raphsquit@rgpg.co.nz
Te Ngae Medical centre _ (07) 345 6627
Te Runanga O Ngati Pikiao _ (07) 347 3195
Tipu Ora _ (07) 348 2400 or text 0276774493
Western Heights Family Health _ (07) 347 0565 or text 0275470565