Smokefree Links
Smoking cessation services can provide ongoing support and advice about preparing to quit, changing habits and handling withdrawal symptoms. In addition, they can provide access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Combining NRT or other medications with support and advice has been shown to be the most successful route to quitting and becoming smokefree.
Most smoking cessation services are free or heavily subsidised. Quit Cards will cost you around $3-$6 for eight weeks supply of subsidised NRT when you redeemed at a pharmacy. Some services can supply free NRT. Note: Smoking Cessation services can support you whether or not you are using NRT or medication.
For a general list and location map of all smokefree and tobacco control services, click 10.3:here
SCDHB - Hospital & Community Services
Help for Hospital Patients
If you are a patient in hospital, even if it's just in for day surgery, a clinic or a visit to the emergency department, we can assist you to manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Doctors can prescribe NRT for you in hospital and if you decide to you want to quit for good, we can arrange for you to receive ongoing help through our smokefree team or other smoking cessation service.
Help for Pregnant Women
If you are pregnant, your midwife or LMC (Lead Maternity Carer) can offer you NRT. This can help you reduce or quit smoking completely. Your midwife or LMC can support and advise you while you try to make these changes. They can also discuss whether you want further assistance from our smokefree team pregnancy specialist or other smoking cessation services.
For further advice or information, contact:
Timaru Hospital Smokefree Team
Phone: 03 687 2333
Email: smokefree@scdhb.health.nz
SCDHB - smokefreedom
Smokefreedom South Canterbury is South Canterbury DHB's free specialist smoking cessation service, providing services as the Timaru Hospital and community smokefree team.
You can ask for a referral through your GP, nurse, midwife, hospital consultant or any healthcare professional. Alternatively, contact us directly, we'll be glad to help and our service is free of charge. If you are pregnant, or planning to start a family, we can provide support and advice at any stage.
We also have staff dedicated to supporting mental health service consumers, whether in hospital, at home or through community mental health services and groups.
If you are in hospital, the team can assist and advise about using NRT to manage withdrawal symptoms when you are unable to smoke. We can work with the medical, nursing, midwifery and therapy staff to help you gain the additional benefits of becoming smokefree. We can help you quit prior to admission for surgery and if you decide to quit for good, we can give you Quit Cards to obtain NRT at home and can continue to support you in the community.
- accessible, affordable and effective smoking cessation services
- community based clinics & support groups
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
- 1-on-1 support and advice
- support and advice for women who are pregnant
- smoking cessation support and resources for general practice & community health agencies
Contact Details:
Smokefree Team: Ken, Barbara & Carmen
Phone: 03 687 2333
TXT: 027 667 6659
Fax: 03 687 2336
Email: smokefree@scdhb.health.nz
Smokefree Team, Community Health Centre, Woollcombe House, 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru.
Aukati Kaipaipa
Aukati Kaipaipa is a free smoking cessation programme specifically for Maori and Whanau (family) delivered in a culturally appropriate manner. Aukati Kaipaipa provides nicotine replacement therapy with one-on-one counseling support and follow-up delivered by Maori quit coaches over a 12-month period.
- personalised programmes
- individual or group sessions
- face to face support and advise
- free nicotine patches / gum / lozenges (NRT)
- mobile service available
Koriana Waller
Phone: (03) 687 2606
Cell: 027 226 0356
Email: koriana.waller@cdhb.govt.nz
Your GP Practice - SCDHB Primary & Community Services
All GPs can help you to quit using nicotine replacement or other medications. Your GP can advise you about which therapies are appropriate for you. Many GPs and practice nurses will be happy to support you in your quit attempt or may direct you to one of the smoking cessation services listed on this page.
Contact Details for SCDHB Primary & Community Services:
Phone: 03 687 2031
Fax: 03 684 9092
SCDHB Primary & Community Services, Community Health Centre, Woollcombe House, 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru.
Quitline
The Quitline is a free quit smoking telephone help line, and is open from 8:00am to 9:30pm Monday to Friday and 10:00am to 7:30pm Sunday (closed Saturday). An initial phone call can take up to 25 minutes.
- request a quit pack which has practical quit smoking advice and information
- register on the Quitline programme for advice and support
- get exchange cards for subsidised nicotine patches or gum where suitable ($3-6 for 8 weeks)
The usual programme is eight weeks. Quitline Advisors recognise relapse is a normal part of the quitting process and welcome calls from people who have relapsed. Quitline also runs the Txt2Quit and Quitter Blog services.
Smokestop
Smokestop is a free, web based service designed to help you become smokefree.
Smokestop offers, text, email, bulletin board & chat support, free to anyone in NZ.
You can self-refer or be referred by any health professional.
Contact via the Smokestop Website or
Phone: 0508 smokestop (0508 766537) Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm
Community & Public Health (C&PH)
Community & Public Health provides public health services to more than 555,000 people living in the Canterbury, South Canterbury and West Coast regions, and is a division of the Canterbury District Health Board, serving as the public health unit (PHU) for these three regions. C&PH can provide smokefree / auahi kore health promotion advice, information and resources. They provide assistance with implementation of the Smokefree Environments Act, promoting smokefree environments such as homes, cars and playgrounds. They also host the Aukati Kaipaipa service for South Canterbury .
Phone: (03) 687 2600
Fax: (03) 688 6091
Community & Public Health, Community Health Centre, Woollcombe House, 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru.
For a general list and location map of smokefree services, click here 