From the Director's Desk – 26 November 2008 

In today's Tobacco Control Update we feature Robert Beaglehole, the new Chair of the Smokefree Coalition. His CV is stunning! Welcome to Robert and I am sure you will all join with me in wishing him well.

Now, it is not like me to moan but here goes!

The signup to the Smokefree Contacts Map has frankly been abysmal! What hair I have left is rapidly leaving my scalp in handfuls.

I have attended a number of regional hui recently and I get the impression there are mixed feelings about the Smokefree Contacts Map. However, it's here to stay – it will replace the Tobacco Free/Tupeka Kore Directory produced by the Smokefree Coalition and Te Reo Marama. So it's really important to sign up to the map. If you are not in the Smokefree Contacts Map your details will no longer be able to be easily found via a central directory.

I know that we are having some problems with the map but these are being fixed. Two further changes will be noticed soon and I am sure that a number of the other glaring mistakes people have complained about have been rectified. If not, then let me know. Problems can be fixed and suggestions implemented.

I have done a complete check of the Tobacco Free/Tupeka Kore Directory against the Smokefree Contacts Map and only 30 percent of those in the Tobacco Free/Tupeka Kore Directory are there. Those of you not in the map have recently had an email directly from me inviting your sign up. The response to this approach has been less than a trickle.

You can sign up here by clicking this link. Do it now!

There, I feel better!

Have a good fortnight.

Mark Peck

Director
Smokefree Coalition