With so much to do it is often hard to see the progress, but we are moving forward and the HSC appreciates being part of a vibrant, passionate and very human sector – so thanks to you all for another positive year.
As many of you may have noticed, HSC has recently been through a rebranding process, with a move towards a heavier use of HSC rather than our full name. As a result our email and website addresses have changed to .org.nz eg. www.hscnz.org, www.smokefree.org.nz and email becoming [email protected] We have found ourselves that this is much simpler to use (and quicker to type!) – we hope you have too.
Smokefree... (www.smokefree.co.nz)
Smokefree Settings
Recent research with smoking parents and caregivers has provided us with a good guide to future directions for the programme. It is excellent to see progress being made. For example:
• Exposure to second-hand smoke in the home has decreased (85% in 2005 compared with 81% in 2004 had not been exposed to smoking in the home in the last week).
• There has been an increase in the belief that people have a right to live in a smokefree environment (92% in 2005 vs 85% in 2004). (For research detail, please contact MARIJA –
[email protected].)
While these trends are positive the opportunity exists to cement the Smokefree Homes message and work to further reduce exposure to second-hand smoke in the home.
In 2006 the second-hand smoke message will continue to be promoted in the national mass media through the Smokefree Homes campaign. (Contact MARIJA for media schedules and copies of radio/ print advertising that can be used locally.) In response to the research, that shows a continuing acceptability of smoking in cars, we will also be looking to enhance the campaign through the introduction of more specific messaging around smoking in cars.
The other part of the Smokefree Settings programme contributes towards the reducing smoking initiation plan by denormalising smoking and role modelling smokefree behaviours. Still in its early stages, the programme is focused around recreational and public outdoor settings. An initial task is to collect information from local councils and sports clubs to ascertain their level of ‘smokefree-ness’ and motivators and barriers to introducing smokefree outdoor settings.
We will ultimately be working towards introducing a ‘don’t smoke anywhere around young people’ type of initiative and will undertake research and testing to assist us in delivering the most effective and appropriate messaging in the future.
World Smokefree Day
With World Smokefree Day only six months away it’s time to begin thinking about linking with other tobacco control workers in your community and forming your regional groups. The 2006 theme builds on this year’s, ‘Wish for a smokefree world/Wawatatia he ao auahi kore’ concept, with a focus on not smoking around young people anywhere, any time. The final messaging is currently being determined and we will advise on this early in the New Year. The theme and message again provides you the opportunity to link World Smokefree Day to local tobacco control priorities in your area, eg. Wish for Smokefree Homes, Waka Auahi Kore, Marae Auahi Kore, Smokefree Playgrounds, Smokefree Families etc. For more information, please contact KRISTAL –
[email protected].
Smokefree Media
Following a process of review and research the Smokefree Arts brand is undergoing a major change. Over the next six months Smokefree Arts will be phased out and Smokefree Media introduced. The goal of the Smokefree Media programme is to reduce media portrayals of tobacco in New Zealand that enhance the appeal of tobacco use.
International research strongly suggests that the portrayal of tobacco in the media is a clear risk factor for youth taking up smoking. Although there is a limited amount of research conducted in New Zealand we would suggest that New Zealand youth are not exempt from this influence.
While the key audience, in terms of programme outcomes, is youth, the key intervention group for Smokefree Media are the creators and propagators of media in New Zealand. The programme, therefore, aims to develop working relationships with this group to raise their awareness of the influence of media portrayals of tobacco on youth smoking initiation and to help them introduce positive change with respect to portrayals of tobacco in New Zealand media. Before this can be done, however, we need to undertake research to ensure engagement with these media stakeholders is well-informed and, thus, effective.
Key activities for the New Year will include conducting research on media usage by New Zealand young people, the impact of media portrayals of tobacco on New Zealand young people and looking at representations of tobacco in New Zealand-generated media and international media influential with young New Zealanders. This research will inform planning and decision-making around Smokefree Media strategies for 2006-08.
Smokefree Youth
Smokefree School Resources – We Need Your Help
If your work involves schools, please take the time to familiarise yourself with the new Smokefree school teaching resources, the Smokefree schools website (www.smokefreeschools.org.nz) and the new Lungfish website (www.lungfish.org.nz). Your help promoting these resources within schools is important to ensure teachers are aware of their existence. The A4 poster enclosed with this newsletter is available to you as a PDF or laminated (multiple copies available). Please feel free to use it in your newsletters, distribute to schools, health promoting school workers, anyone involved in Fruit in Schools etc. Contact HEIDI for a soft copy or more laminated copies ([email protected]).
Smokefree Schools Website (www.smokefreeschools.org.nz)
The Smokefree schools website is the one-stop-shop for schools to find everything Smokefree. It has teaching resources (see below), information on maintaining compliance with the legislation, advice on managing smoking and the opportunity for schools to share ideas for smokefree activities. It also has information on how schools can comply with the Fruit in Schools criteria, with more to come shortly.
Smokefree School Teaching Resources – Year 5/6 and Year 7/8
Earlier this year we developed two new classroom resources (for Years 5/6 and 7/8) in close consultation with a number of practicing teachers. The resources are linked to the Health and Physical Education curriculum, and include the latest research on reducing smoking initiation. They are available in PDF format from the Smokefree schools website.
Planning for a Maori school resource with Te Hotu Manawa Maori is under way, with the new resource expected to be available in Term 2 or 3 2006.
Lungfish Website (www.lungfish.org.nz)
The new Lungfish website is an entertaining, interactive and informative Smokefree website for pre-teens. It can be used in the school or home environment and advice on risk and protective factors for uptake is provided specifically for parents as well as teachers. Lungfish has a monthly comic, games, a Smokefree ‘fact of the week’ and a Smokefree Celebrities section. Why not visit Lungfish today and help promote it to schools, teachers and parents!
SunSmart School Teaching Resources – Years 5/6
HSC and the Cancer Society are currently developing a new SunSmart resource for Year 5/6. The resource will replace the existing resource Let’s Get SunSmart and, like the new Smokefree resources, will be developed in close consultation with practicing teachers, and have links to the Health and Physical Education curriculum. The resource will be available as a PDF from the newly launched SunSmart schools website (www.sunsmartschools.org.nz) from Term 1 2006.
Fruit in Schools
Smokefree and SunSmart are two of the four key areas of Fruit in Schools (FIS). The Smokefree schools website is the one-stop-shop for schools working towards the Smokefree criteria, and the new SunSmart school resources will be a great help for SunSmart material. If you are involved in FIS, please direct schools to all the school teaching resources outlined in the enclosed poster. This poster will be placed as an advertisement in the following school/teacher publications over the next few months:
- NZ Principal
- Starters and Strategies
- Parent and Schools Today
- Education Gazette
Auahi Kore Panui ... (www.auahikore.org.nz)
The Ministry of Health has recently completed its guide for marae around the Smokefree environments legislation. It is currently being translated and will then be printed ready for distribution. The Marae Auahi Kore booklet, produced by the HSC, will be updated and reprinted in line with, and complementary to, this document. It will also be reviewed to ensure that it is reflective of the reducing smoking initiation framework and will then be released
The Auahi Kore website is undergoing a revamp to ensure that it stays fresh and helpful. It has proved a real asset in terms of reaching the general public about the Auahi Kore kaupapa. Probably the biggest change you will see is the inclusion of a specific Rangatahi page. If you have any suggestions for improvement, please drop MERE an email ([email protected]).
Te Kiwai Partnership programme has been going really well this year. Thanks to all the reps around the country that have been using this programme to support community initiatives that promote the kaupapa and increase the number of Auahi Kore events for Maori around the country. If you would like to know more about this programme or who the representative is in your area, email MERE.
Thanks to all of you that were able to make it to the Te Ao Maori, Te Ao Auahi Kore Hui 2005. We have had a number of really good comments and feedback to Shane, Irene and Mere, including a number of things for us to work on, which is equally great.
As we move into the Christmas break, we would thank you for your support and continued efforts with the Auahi Kore kaupapa this year, and wish you all a happy and safe holiday and travels over December and January. We look forward to hearing from you all again in the New Year.
Walking and Cycling
Planning for Bike Wise Week 2006 (25 February-5 March) is well under way around the country with the key events i.e. The Mayoral Challenge, Go By Bike Day (the renamed Bike to Work Day) and the Business Battle receiving a lot of support from key stakeholders. In fact, enthusiasm for Go By Bike Day has exceeded all expectations, with the number of participating centres standing at 26, almost double the level of 2005.
A key part of Getting there – on foot, by cycle is working smarter with cycling communities. It is, therefore, fantastic that 17 out of the 19 city and regional councils with existing cycling strategies are playing key and supportive roles in organising Bike Wise Week in their region. Keep up the good work.
The Bike Wise Business Battle will run for the fourth year in a row next Bike Wise Week. The main objective of the event is to get irregular and non-cyclists to get on a bike again and re-experience how much fun biking can be.
Twenty SPARC Push Play Participation awards will be given to the organisations that motivate the highest percentage of their staff to get on a bike. Companies can compete in one of five business size categories within four regions and winning teams will receive a sumptuous shout for everyone who takes part.
Battle registration and result submission is done on-line and participation is as simple as grabbing a bunch of mates from work and getting on your bikes and cycling for at least 10 minutes.
For more information on Bike Wise Week and the Business Battle check out www.bikewise.org.nz or contact WAYDE ([email protected]) for Bike Wise Week information or THOMAS ([email protected]) for Battle details.
SunSmart... (www.sunsmart.org.nz)
The SunSmart programme for this summer season has well and truly started (with a priority of reducing excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly for children under 13 and their caregivers).
The communications campaign has included a number of components, beginning with the dissemination of a number of media releases over the last eight weeks. The broadcast of the first flight of television commercials began at Labour Weekend and was scheduled through to SunSmart Week (13-19 November). During SunSmart Week national advertising was placed in all major daily newspapers, editorial was provided, and a range of media releases were sequentially released. Media interest was much higher this year than in previous SunSmart Weeks and included a number of magazine and television profiles.
The first national position statement around vitamin D and sun safety “The Risks and Benefits of Sun Exposure” has been released and can be downloaded from the website (www.sunsmart.org.nz). It is a step forward to have an expert advisory group, made up of key stakeholders, develop this specifically for New Zealand.
An expert advisory group has also been set up to look at the issue of early detection of skin cancer in New Zealand. This group had its first meeting in October and plans to meet again in the New Year.
The triennial national sun safety survey is in place for this summer, as is analysis of all previous such surveys, the first of which took place in 1994. This analysis should give us a clear indication of trends in sun safety over the past 10 years.
The SunSmart Schools website is now up and running (www.sunsmartschools.org.nz) and includes a comprehensive section on the SunSmart Schools Accreditation Programme. This is specifically aimed at those schools with primary and intermediate students and is aimed at helping schools better protect their students from too much sun.
For more information please contact WENDY (email [email protected]) or SUSIE (email [email protected]). You can also check out the framework for 2005-2008, and other SunSmart information, on the website www.sunsmart.org.nz
Research and Evaluation
Research is one of the key activities that supports HSC's role of promoting health and healthy lifestyles. To lead its ever-expanding research programme, Sue Walker has joined the Research and Evaluation Unit as manager.
Sue has contributed to a wide range of healthy lifestyles research in her previous roles. As research and information manager for the Hillary Commission (now SPARC), she was involved in researching levels of physical activity, and evaluating Push Play and Green Prescriptions. Before joining HSC, Sue managed the Department of Internal Affairs' research and evaluation programme, which included evaluating projects designed to foster youth development and strong, sustainable communities. Before coming to New Zealand, Sue worked as a contract researcher in the public and private sectors in the UK, specialising in outdoor recreation.
Research team activities over the last few months have focused on evaluating the Smoke-free Environments (SFE) Act, preparing for SunSmart activities over summer, and developing a public health approach to gambling. Specific activities have included:
· Monitoring changes in New Zealanders' exposure to second-hand smoke and smoking-related attitudes and behaviours following implementation of the SFE Act. Results from the Smokefree/Auahi Kore monitors show exposure to second-hand smoke in indoor workplaces (in the last 7 days) has halved from 2003 to 2005, although Maori remain more likely than non-Maori to be exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace. Public support for smoking bans in bars and restaurants increased from 2004 to 2005, with 75% of the general population now supporting bans in bars and 81% supporting bans in restaurants. Exposure to second-hand smoke in homes has also decreased - 85% of people surveyed in 2005 said they had not been exposed to second-hand smoke at home, compared with 80% in 2003.
· The second stage of the bar managers' survey, which explores attitudes to the SFE Act and views about on the law change impacted on business, has been completed and the third stage is underway. The second set of results showed a marked increase in bar managers' support for smoking bans in bars and clubs; up from 44% in November 2004 to 60% in May 2005. Concerns about the legislation affecting profits appear unfounded, with the percentage of bar managers agreeing that smoking bans do not affect profits up from 11% to 25%.
· With summer officially here, the 2005/06 SunSmart campaign is underway and an evaluation of the media campaign has started. The HSC/Cancer Society's three-yearly Sun Protection Survey, which monitors sun protection behaviour and attitudes, is also underway and we hope to report results in the next issue.
· Progress continues to develop a public health approach to preventing and minimising harm from gambling. Auckland University of Technology's Gambling Research Centre has completed a literature review for HSC. This is being used to inform a social marketing approach and develop indicators to track desired behaviour changes. A brief inviting proposals for a survey to benchmark indicators will be issued by HSC shortly.
Publications
A paper on second-hand smoke in New Zealand homes and cars in 2004 by Kiri, Julie and Nick Wilson (Department of Public Health, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Otago University) is being published in the December 16 issue of the New Zealand Medical Journal.
A paper by Nigel, Kiri, Stephen Stark (University of South Florida), and Sasha Chernyshenko (University of Canterbury) on bar manager support for the smoking ban in hospitality venues has been accepted for the 21st Annual Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Conference in Dallas, Texas, in May 2006.
For more information on these projects or the work of the Research and Evaluation Unit, please contact ANARU, KIRI, JULIE, NIGEL, STELLA, and now – SUE.
Shopping List
Please check out the enclosed flier – HSC Smokefree/Auahi Kore Merchandise Sale – for great savings on HSC gear. Where else could you pick up skater hats and beanies for $7 or a Canterbury polar fleece for $50?
Sale ends 19 December.
___________________________________________________________________________
HSC (HEALTH SPONSORSHIP COUNCIL)
1st FLOOR, FULBRIGHT NZ HOUSE, 120 FEATHERSTON STREET,
PO BOX 2142, WELLINGTON
www.hscnz.org www.smokefree.org.nz
www.auahikore.org.nz www.lungfish.org.nz
www.bikewise.org.nz www.sunsmart.org.nz
Telephone 04 472 5777 * Facsimile 04 472 5799
[email protected]
