Letters to the editor and short takes January 1 2021

No matter how long you have smoked, quitting will benefit your health in both the immediate and long-term future. Almost straight away your health will start to improve, and your risk of cancer and other diseases will reduce. It will also benefit the health of your family and friends and save you money. The younger you are, and the sooner you stop, the better, but it's never too late to stop smoking. Even smokers who quit at the age of 60 can reduce their chance of getting cancer and other diseases. We know it's not easy, but we can help point you in the direction of the support you need.

Many people who smoke need to practice quitting several times before they give up for good. Remember lapses are normal but keep trying and don't give up. We believe in you! Practice helps you plan what to do the next time you get an urge to smoke. The first few days of quitting can be the hardest, as you may feel tired, irritable and tense, but after about one to two weeks most of these symptoms will disappear.

Many people quit smoking on their own without support, however extra support can increase your chances of quitting successfully. If you wish to use quit support, choose methods that are safe and suit you. People who use a combination of pharmacological support (like nicotine replacement patches, gum or mouth spray) with counselling support (like the NSW Quitline) are most likely to succeed in quitting.

If you want to use nicotine replacement therapy, combining the patches for all day support with any of the oral options (like the gum or mouth spray) is the best way to go. Ring the NSW Quitline on 13 78 48 for free and confidential telephone information and advice to help you quit and stay quit. There is an online form to request Quitline call you back. You can also talk to your GP about prescription medications on offer.

Stick with the tried and tested approaches and be very wary of methods or products that seem too good to be true; our website has lots of information on approved quit methods. No matter what method you use, getting the support you need will improve your chances of success. Remember you're doing a great thing for your health and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, call our Information and Support line on 13 11 20.

I WRITE to express my disgust at the actions of the Port of Newcastle for the recent action taken against the cats on the Stockton break wall ('Investigation sought after cull 'bloodbath', Newcastle Herald 21/12). I consider feral cats a misnomer; rather, they were abandoned cats under the effective management of a dedicated team of carers from the Stray Cats Project.

I am amazed that there was no consultation process undertaken by the Port with the interested parties that would have prevented this action. The Port of Newcastle would in my opinion have to have their head in what little sand is left at Stockton to be unaware of those persons undertaking this effective animal welfare work over many years to manage the cat population.

The Port needs to look at the aims of their own Master Plan 2040: "we are dedicated to operating a safe, sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible business in partnership with our tenants, port users, community and government agencies".

I live in Victoria and regularly stay in Stockton during the off-season for business purposes and recreation, supporting local accommodation, supermarket, hotels, clubs and other businesses.

It will be difficult to go back to the breakwall after this atrocity. Surely Stockton needs this ongoing support given the issues with beach erosion and the effects on beach users and tourism. Is it time for me to abandon Stockton and go elsewhere?

IT was pleasing to see that the state government has approved repairs to the Wickham School of Arts ('Repairs for arts school', Herald 24/12). Could the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) now show similar generosity and give some certainty as regards the future of the building?

With the recent approval being given for many more apartment buildings in the Wickham area, it is important the School of Arts be retained and perhaps repurposed to serve a purpose similar to that originally intended.

Not all residents can use pubs, cafes and cycleways 24/7. A venue that would provide for other social and cultural activities in the area would be an asset.

I WONDER when all of these stupid, clever dingbats will realise that they (the party set) are the cause of the constant spread of this virus. Lift the fines to $10,000 for each person in breach, and then fine the owners or the person responsible for the property $100,000 for every breach. Forget locking down one area; lock down the state for the sake of those who are doing the right thing.

Today I overheard a young male say, loud enough to appear to be clever, that he will not obey any directive and do what he wants, where he wants, because it's his life and he is only going to live once and the rest of the world can get stuffed. Not good enough. It is people like this who I believe should be instantly arrested as this is why we are all at risk.

CARL Stevenson (Letters, 28/12) expresses concern that "Victoria, heavily involved in renewable energy, is now guaranteeing a payment each year of $20 million to aluminium smelters to stop production during periods of high base load demand".

Victorian power is provided by the National Energy Grid, which is managed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and supplies about 80 per cent of Australian households with electricity. The annual cost to a household of this decision will be a handful of dollars.

In contrast, the latest September quarter report, compiled by the AEMO for the National Energy Grid, shows wholesale power prices have fallen about 20 per cent since 2016, primarily due to increased renewable penetration, with some help from lower gas prices. Importantly they are confident the continued grid penetration of renewables will continue to lower wholesale power prices, predicting an average household will save a further $120 annually by 2023.

HOW heartening it is to read in the Herald ('Green shoots of hope', Herald 29/12) of the recovery from severe drought of Upper Allyn farmer Peter Lawrence. The river is flowing and the dam is full. So now how interesting it would be to hear from mammalogist Tim Flannery, affectionately dubbed "professor of dud predictions", who in 2007 in true alarmist style said "even the rain that falls isn't going to fill our dams and rivers". How this individual was ever appointed Climate Commissioner is beyond belief.

THOSE involved with the Stray Cats Project are kind, caring human beings who have been looking after the Stockton breakwall strays by feeding, getting them desexed and microchipped. I can imagine their horror when they discovered the mutilation of the recent cull. It's enough to break an animal lover's heart. The Port of Newcastle has a lot to answer for as far as I am concerned. There are many threats to native mammals, reptiles and birds including drought and fire which you can put down to climate change. Behind climate change of course is the human being, the biggest threat of all.

BECAUSE they are easy cheap shots to make, Trump/Hitler comparisons proliferate. Richard Ryan (Short Takes, 28/12) and Michael Hinchey (Short Takes, 29/12) are merely the latest. Never mind Godwin's Law, sensitivities about the Holocaust and Leo Strauss's 'Reductio ad Hitlerum', warning against the fallacy of guilt by association with Hitler. Flawed and graceless he may be, but Trump is no Hitler. On the other hand, milder criticism of China's Chairman Xi must be muted because he might lose face, despite the fact that he presides over a ruthless totalitarian regime complicit in the persecution of religious groups and racial minorities to the point of genocide.

I'M confused. Aren't politicians elected to represent the wishes of the majority of the population? If so, why is the religious minority having such influence on whether I suffer to my dying breath or not? It's time for all politicians to vote for common sense and leave Dark Age beliefs where they belong: in the Dark Ages.

THE time has come for the federal government to get tough on China, Tell them in no uncertain terms that unless they drop all tariffs on our exports to their country we will suspend all iron ore exports to them. See how they like that.

GRAEME Tychsen, what would your response to the premier be if she allowed 10 or 20,000 Sydney visitors in Rankin park this week? Would you think that is a responsible decision?

IF health minister Brad Hazzard was worried about the number of Disney characters checking in at venues around NSW, how are the Contact Tracers going to cope with "Santa Claus, North Pole" (Broelman's view, Opinion 24/12)?