If you need an example of brotherly love, look no further then Ihaka Brown, who is supporting his brother Jacob’s smokefree journey by getting on board the same waka.
“When I tried to give up smoking years ago, he didn’t, and then he tried and I didn’t, and it didn’t work for either of us. So, when he tried to go at it again, I said ‘Well it’s not gonna work unless I jump on board with you’ and I came with him to his second stop smoking check-in,” he says.
“I’d been wanting to give up on and off, but it was so hard, but this time I thought I’ve just got to make the move now and take that leap. It’s been good doing it together.”
The two men have made significant progress in just a few months, going from smoking 20 cigarettes a day, costing more than $200 a week, to none.
A carbon monoxide tester is a handheld device that you breathe into, and it uses your breath to measure the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) in your system. When you smoke, CO enters your bloodstream, reducing your oxygen levels. A number that produces a red result on the tester indicates high levels of CO. A number that produces a green result means there are good oxygen levels.
“It was so good when Ihaka came along to Jacob’s session and said he wanted to be smokefree too,” says Quit Coach Carlene Duff. “It makes such a difference to the person giving up if they have whānau support and with the two of them doing it together they have a really great understanding of what the other person is going through.
“They’ve both done so well. When they started, they were blowing high numbers like 18 and 20 in the red on the carbon monoxide test machine and now they are right down in the green at only 1 and 2.”
Jacob remembers his last cigarette was four months ago.
“Probably the best thing I ever did was to come in here and go smokefree. It’s made a real difference to me because I have diabetes as well and I had the doctors saying I had to do this and do that, and it wasn’t right for me.
“But Carlene sorted me out with a bike and some fishing gear and now I get out there and do the exercise and it’s got my body going again. My sugar levels are better, and I’ve got a tick from the doctor for not smoking too. I’m winning all round, heading forwards not backwards.”
Supporting whānau on their hauora journey means Carlene can help them figure out what could help them deal with stress instead of reaching for the smokes, and for Jacob it’s fishing.
“We were able to source a bike and fishing gear, and Jacob has been making full use of them.”
“For Ihaka, we’ll be able to help him get the things he needs to create a garden.”
“It’s going to be great because I can get out there and keep my mind on something else other than the smokes, not wandering off somewhere else and getting bored then the first thing you do is put a cigarette in your mouth,” says Ihaka.” You get the good kai out of it too!”
The two brothers chuckle at the thought of kai, as they have been putting the money they have saved through not spending on tobacco to good use – buying steak!
“We love a good New York steak,” says Jacob. “And now we can afford to buy that sort of food instead of takeaways and stuff. It’s good. Good kai, exercise and being smoke-free – I feel so much better in myself, you know.”
The proof of the success of the stop smoking programme came for Ihaka while out socialising with a few friends.
“I went out to do the social butterfly thing and one of the guys tried to bait me, asking me how the giving up smoking was going and stuff, then left his packet of tobacco right in front of me when he went for a smoke. Then he even rolled me a smoke. But I just looked at him and said ‘No, thank you.” So, it was good moment.”
Jacob nods and says “It’s been really great, all the support and advice from Carlene, about how to deal with the cravings and the nicotine replacement. Best thing ever. I’d say to anyone who is ready to do it to come and sign up with Tui Ora. It’ll change your life, it really will.”
If you feel ready to start your hauora journey to a smokefree future, email [email protected] to get on the waka!