The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) today presented to the Māori Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the tobacco industry. The professional association, which represents 45,000 members, believes nurses have a huge role to play in helping Māori, as well as other Kiwis, quit smoking and NZNO kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says they are on a mission to do just that. "Nurses see first-hand, on a daily basis, the terrible toll smoking has on our patients, their whanau and the wider community. That's why we are in such a good position to help." Research shows advice and support from nursing staff can increase people's success in quitting smoking, especially in a hospital setting. It is hoped Māori nurses, in particular, can play a role in dramatically improving quit rates amongst Māori, who bear the greatest burden of ill health and death caused by smoking. Kerri Nuku says thousands of nurses have already completed free training courses to give them greater confidence in approaching smokers under their care and offering them help to quit. These nurses can now also issue vouchers for fully subsidised nicotine replacement therapy. "This is world-leading, and shows the strong role played by New Zealand nursing organisations and the Ministry of Health to equip and empower nurses as frontline educators." She acknowledged the high proportion of Māori nurses who smoke and said the NZNO called on Government to provide quit programmes specifically for Māori nurses. "By helping our own workforce to quit, as well as our patients, we can go some way towards undoing the terrible damage caused by the tobacco industry over past decades."