Smokefree Hospital

Supporting you in a healthy lifestyle

Wairarapa DHB is protecting and promoting the health of Wairarapa people by providing a smokefree environment and workplace.

This means no one may smoke anywhere in Wairarapa DHB buildings, grounds, cars or property.

This policy supports the goal of the New Zealand Health Strategy to reduce smoking and the rate of smoking-related diseases.

Throughout the world, more and more hospitals are becoming smokefree. This is to protect patients, staff and visitors form second-hand smoke and to minimise the risk of fires.

While you are in hospital

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Wairarapa DHB sites. We will offer you support but we also recommend you think about how you can manage your smoking dependency if you are going to be an inpatient. Please be sure your visitors are aware that smoking is not permitted.

Every person who is admitted to hospital will be asked if they are smokefree, and if their household is smokefree. If they are not smokefree, they will be offered nicotine replacement therapy and also cessation support.

Facts about smoking

• Smoking kills over 4000 New Zealanders every year
• Second-hand smoke kills over 350 non-smoking New Zealanders every year
• Smoking reduces the body's ability to heal
• Smoking increases the risk of fire

How can you help yourself manage your smoking dependency?

• Ask your GP for support on how to cut down or to become smokefree
• Ask your doctor or nurse at Wairarapa DHB or your health care provider for information on ways to become smokefree
• Think about slowly reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke if you are going to be an inpatient
• If you are going to be an inpatient or coming to a clinic, bring plenty of things to do such as puzzles or books and magazines to read
• Ask family and friends to help you by not bringing cigarettes with them when they come to visit
• Think about why and when you smoke and think about any changes you can make
• Practise some relaxation and deep breathing techniques
• Join a smokefree group or service—you will find smoking cessation coaches at all medical practices, Whaiora Whanui, at Wairarapa Public Health Unit and Wairarapa Hospital.

What support is available?

• Support from your nurse, doctor or other health care provider
• You can be referred to the smoking cessation service
• You can contact Aukati Kai Paipa at Whaiora Whanui to join their smokefree programme: 06 370 8145 or 0800 494 246. Aukati Kai Paipa is a one-on-one support programme (this is a free service)
• Quitline: 0800 778 779
• Smoking cessation coaches

Visitors

• We know you mean well, but bringing in cigarettes or tobacco for patients will only slow their recovery, and in some cases make them sicker
• Smoking can aggravate over 40 different medical conditions, including cancer, heart and lung disease and diabetes.
• Smoking also increases the risk of fire in our buildings.

For these reasons smoking is not allowed anywhere in Wairarapa DHB buildings, grounds, cars or property.