Smoking in New Zealand
In New Zealand, smoking is legal but subject to tobacco control regulations. Cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products and can be sold through retail outlets, including online sales and vending machines. The importation of cigarettes for trade is allowed with a trade license. Health warnings on packaging are mandatory, the legal minimum age for purchase is 18 years, and smoking in public places is subject to legal restrictions. A comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising is also in place. Cigarettes in New Zealand are taxed at a total rate of 82.78%, including an excise component of 69.74%. Data show that in 2024, the number of current smokers was recorded to be approximately 364,000 in New Zealand, corresponding to an adult smoking prevalence of 8.6%. In the same year, current smoking prevalence was slightly higher among males (9.7%) than among females (7.7%). In 2022, this prevalence was recorded to be 11.4%. In 2023, the adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence was reported to be 7.7%, with approximately 362,845 daily smokers. In 2021, smoking led to approximately 3,580 deaths in New Zealand, including 2,085 deaths among males and 1,495 deaths among females. In other words, tobacco smoking accounted for 10.38% of all deaths in the country in 2021, including11.78% of all male deaths and 8.9% of all female deaths.
Read articles from New Zealand
October 02, 2019 by newsroom.co.nz
Q&A: Does NZ have a place for e-cigarettes?
Three University of Auckland researchers discuss the outcomes of new New Zealand trials on vaping amid a global backlash against e-cigarettes Discussion on the therapeutic benefits of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to smokers worldwide who want to quit the killer habit is being overtaken by concerns over potential harms. But while the debate over vaping is raging, we have shown in our research with more than a thousand New Zealanders who smoke cigarettes and want to quit, that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes when used alone or with nicotine patches can help.
October 01, 2019 by nzherald.co.nz
Vaping companies band together to fight Government restrictions
A collection of the biggest names in the vaping industry have set aside their competitive differences to fight a bigger foe: Government regulation.
In a bid to offer a collective voice against proposed regulatory changes, a collection of vaping businesses recently banded together to form the Vaping Trade Association of New Zealand (VTANZ).
The Herald understands that major Kiwi vape brands including Shosha, Alt, Vapourium, The Vape Shop and Vapo, among others have agreed to work together to ensure that excessively prohibitive legislation isn't passed in the local market.
September 19, 2019 by nzherald.co.nz
How a person vapes, not just what, plays a big role in the danger
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is looking closely at the different flavoured nicotine juices and other substances users may be vaping in e-cigarettes to determine how the aerosol might be affecting users' lungs. On Sept. 12, 2019, the CDC lowered the number of confirmed and probable cases from more than 400 to 380. The number was lower, the agency said, because it is no longer reporting "possible cases." The mystery and concern remain. And, many smokers who use these devices to quit are concerned that a valuable tool may be taken away from them. [...]
September 18, 2019 by tobaccoreporter.com
Apology to Glover
The Public Health Association (PHA) of New Zealand has issued a public apology over statements made by its CEO Prudence Stone about Marewa Glover [...] In a recent PHA newsletter, Stone stated that Glover was influenced by Philip Morris International and that Glover had made false statements to the select committee considering amendments to the Smoke-free Environments (prohibiting smoking in motor vehicles carrying children) Amendment Bill. “Dr. Stone and the PHA retract these comments and unreservedly apologize to Dr. Glover for the comments made,” the apology stated.
February 20, 2019 by nzherald.co.nz
Jay Kuten: E-cigarettes, that's the real name "vaping" is the sexier term
Recently in this column (Chronicle, February 6 ), I called for greater responsibility of both government and individual citizens for getting the facts on important potential dangers in order to avert paralysing fear and thus, make reason based action possible.
While the greater focus was global warming, I used as example the rather casual way that so-called vaping has been normalised in New Zealand with minimal to no regulation.
December 14, 2018 by nzherald.co.nz
17,000 more Kiwis need to quit smoking each year to hit Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 target
Another 17,200 New Zealanders need to quit smoking each year until 2025 if we are to reach the goal of less than 5 per cent of the population smoking daily by then, a new study has found. The research, headed up by Professor Nick Wilson of the department of public health at Otago University's Wellington campus, found the country was set to fall far short of the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 goal if the current trend continues.
December 12, 2018 by tvnz.co.nz
Government has moved too slowly to regulate e-cigarettes, lead respiratory doc warns
Dr Stuart Jones says “the horse has bolted” because parents believe it’s safe – when it isn’t.
November 23, 2018 by theaustralian.com.au
New Zealand moves to tighten vaping laws
New Zealand lawmakers have announced strict new vaping rules that would see e-cigarettes treated more like tobacco products.
The country's government has proposed legal changes that would see vaping devices and smokeless tobacco products join cigarettes in being banned from bars, restaurants and workplaces, as well introducing restrictions on how they can be displayed in stores. [...] Health Minister Jenny Salesa said the introduction of new safety standards would also give assurance to those trying to quit smoking using the devices [...]
September 24, 2018 by scoop.co.nz
Increased Tobacco Tax Not The Only Option
Hāpai Te Hauora agree with calls to reprioritise tobacco tax funds made in the recently released 'Future of Tax' interim report from the Tax Working Group. The group has called for the government to prioritise other measures with respect to smoking cessation. These include more educational campaigns and reinvestment of funds into initiatives which support people to stop smoking.
August 02, 2018 by vcu.edu
New Zealand officials tap VCU professor’s expertise to learn about potential vaping hazards
E-cigarettes essentially were banned in New Zealand until this summer when the Ministry of Health opted not to appeal a court ruling that found most tobacco products could be legally sold under the country’s Smoke-free Environments Act.
“They’re trying to get their arms around tobacco products to promote a healthier citizenry,” Peace said. “They have a goal of being tobacco-free by 2025.”
To reduce smoking, the country has raised taxes dramatically on cigarettes, Peace said. [...]