13 Dec 2011

Governor General becomes first Quitline patron

7:10 pm on 13 December 2011

The Governor General has accepted an invitation to become the first patron of the national stop smoking service Quitline.

Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae says he's looking forward to working with the Quitline Group, which has a vision of a smokefree Aotearoa.

He says he's keen to support the services it provides, to enable more New Zealand smokers to quit and quit for life.

The Governor General says although he's pleased to be Quitline's inaugural vice regal patron, he envisages the day when it no longer needs a patron because New Zealand will be totally smokefree.

Quitline chairperson Annette Milligan says staff are excited about having someone of such stature supporting the smokefree kaupapa.