Wellington, May 27 NZPA - A new quit smoking campaign encouraging family and friends to help people stop smoking was launched today.

Family, friends and colleagues of smokers are being asked to buy a "Give a Quit!" card which prompts and assists smokers' quit attempts. The cards contain Quit Card vouchers for one month's free supply of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges.

The idea was the brainchild of Action on Smoking and Health's Grant Hocking.

"Knowing that your family and friends care about your smoking can be a real trigger for quitting," Mr Hocking, the organisation's health promoter, said.

"We wanted to take it one step further by helping people give their loved ones all the support they need to stop. This provides motivation and support rolled into one."

Shortland Street actor Ben Mitchell said the campaign was a great initiative and "an awesome way for family and friends to show their encouragement to people who want to give up smoking".

"Sometimes people who want to quit just need a push in the right direction. Being given a Give a Quit! card makes things easy and inexpensive for smokers looking for a way to set the wheels in motion."

NZPA