Tonga's new toll-free 0800 333 Quitline, launched as part of the Tuku Ifi Leva (Quit Smoking Now) campaign has been inundated with calls from smokers throughout the country wanting help to quit.
The Quitline launched 31 May, 2016 provides free advice and support to smokers from Ministry of Health staff trained by Quit Victoria in Australia.
Quitline counsellor Tupou Tuilautla said "we have provided counselling to about 18 smokers every day since opening the lines on Wednesday morning. It's great to see so many people calling to get help to quit smoking for themselves and their families. Even if people have tried to quit before and been unsuccessful, we can really help them to quit for good".
A government statement said 46% of men and 13% of women smoke in Tonga. Up to half of these men and women can expect to die as a direct result of their smoking habits.
Many Tongans, including children, will suffer diseases, infections, asthma and other serious health complications including cancer by breathing in other people’s smoke.
Quitline counsellor, Melekaloni 'Eukaliti, said that people wanted to quit for a range of reasons – but most often for their health, their family and to save money. "One lady I spoke with told me that smoking around her kids had made them sick all the time – and all for nothing when she thought about all the money she wasted on cigarettes instead of their school lunch. She was so surprised when I told her she could save over $3000 every year if she quit".
Mrs 'Eukaliti said she had been answering calls and providing counselling to smokers from all over Tonga wanting help to quit for good, including Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and Tongatapu. "The Quitline is free for everyone in Tonga to call, which I think has encouraged more people to contact us. We're happy to help them".
The toll-free 0800 333 Quitline is open between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.
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