The quit-smoking program which began on 1st July, 2011, has been upgraded by involving GPs. As per the new technique, the GPs of Waikato Hospital are being urged to recommend quitting smoking to 90% of their patients.

Commenting upon the role to be played by the GPs in encouraging smokers to quit smoking, the Ministry of Health said, “The health professional is then able to provide brief advice and to offer quit support to smokers”.

It has been told that since the launch of the program by the hospital, smokers are choosing another place to smoke. They are using the streets to smoke which is close to the entrance of the hospital.

Following the wide spread practice of smokers, the Waikato District Health Board has written a letter to Hamilton City Council asking to impose a ban, similar to one in practice in Queensland. It has been reported that the Auckland District Health Board is planning to bring stricter rules for the smokers.

The Auckland District Health Board comprises of 10,000 members. The board members are working on drawing a policy which will force smokers to quit smoking. Smoking is not only harmful for the smoker but for those as well who are standing near to them. Second hand smoke is as harmful as first hand smoke. Therefore, more efforts should be made to help smokers in quitting smoking.