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 04, 2024 by 1news.co.nz
Costello releases 'independent advice' on heated tobacco decisions
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon disagree on a tax break for Philip Morris' heated tobacco product. Costello's plan to shift smokers to heated products was impacted by regulations on vaping devices. Luxon is not familiar with the products but supports childproofing smoking alternatives. Costello and Luxon clash on whether the tax cut benefits Philip Morris. Costello released five documents of purported independent advice on heated tobacco. Treasury warns of potential health risks and uncertain impacts of the tax break. Various studies on smoking alternatives and industry tactics are highlighted.
October 02, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
Ban Is A Blow To Public Health
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates criticizes New Zealand's plan to ban closed vaping systems, arguing it hinders harm reduction progress and may lead ex-smokers back to cigarettes. The proposal neglects consumer choice, disproportionately impacting older users and those with dexterity issues. The focus on restrictions overlooks key issues like youth access and smoking cessation. CAPHRA stresses the need for evidence-based policies, urging a reevaluation in favor of education, enforcement, and transparent communication. The group advocates for access to regulated harm reduction products to combat smoking-related diseases in the Asia-Pacific region.
September 24, 2024 by rnz.co.nz
Casey Costello under fire on links to tobacco industry, says govt still committed to Smokefree 2025
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello denies ties with the tobacco industry amid criticisms for reversing smokefree laws and promoting heated tobacco products. Despite controversy, she affirms commitment to Smokefree 2025 but faces skepticism from researchers like Chris Bullen. Bullen doubts the feasibility of meeting the 2025 goal and warns against reversing smokefree laws and introducing new nicotine products without thorough testing. Costello supports making smoking alternatives more accessible but emphasizes the need for robust regulations.
September 24, 2024 by 1news.co.nz
Govt anti-smoking but 'not necessarily anti-nicotine' - associate minister
Minister Casey Costello, responsible for smoking policies, spoke at a health forum emphasizing success in reducing smoking rates through vaping, especially among Maori women and youth. She aims to target hardcore smokers aged 45-64 for cessation. Costello supports harm reduction tools like vaping and nicotine patches to achieve Smokefree 2025. Despite criticism for delaying smokefree legislation and tax cuts on heated tobacco, she denied ties with the tobacco industry. Costello discussed combatting the illicit tobacco market in South Auckland.
September 23, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu
New Zealand HALVES smoking rates in five years thanks to vapes
New Zealand has achieved a significant reduction in smoking rates by promoting vaping as a safer alternative. Smoking rates have halved in five years, with adult daily vaping increasing. The country's success is attributed to the 'Swedish Model' approach of harm reduction and making safer nicotine alternatives accessible. New Zealand's proactive measures, including the Vape to Quit campaign, have led to a decline in smoking, contributing to the goal of becoming 'smoke-free' by 2025. Embracing harm reduction strategies has proven effective in saving lives and controlling tobacco-related issues, setting an example for other countries to follow.
September 13, 2024 by newsroom.co.nz
Banning vapes is a bad way of reducing youth vaping
Sometimes, bad policy can be good politics in the short term, but it can lead to challenges for future governments. The National party's proposal to ban vaping devices used by adults to address youth vaping is considered poor policy that will backfire politically in 2026. The Ministry of Health's analysis highlighted flaws in the ban, warning about unintended consequences, such as hindering smoking cessation efforts and creating an illicit market. The broader ban may impact adult smokers using vaping as a harm-reduction tool. This decision could turn into a political liability for National, especially in light of reversing previous legislation aimed at reducing smoking rates.
August 21, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
Pragmatic Regulation is Called For
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates has already expressed its significant concerns regarding the recently proposed Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, aimed at addressing youth vaping, introduces stringent measures that the harm reduction organisation believes will inadvertently harm adult vapers and smokers seeking to quit smoking.
August 19, 2024 by scoop.co.nz
CAPHRA Calls For Pragmatic Regulation Of Safer Nicotine Products In New Zealand
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has expressed significant concerns regarding the recently proposed Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, aimed at addressing youth vaping, introduces stringent measures that CAPHRA believes will inadvertently harm adult vapers and smokers seeking to quit smoking.
August 16, 2024 by filtermag.org
Disposable Vape Ban Threatens New Zealand’s “World Leader” Status
New Zealand, known for tobacco harm reduction success, faces criticism for banning disposable vapes to reduce youth vaping. Despite nearing a "smoke-free" status, the ban applies to non-rechargeable devices and pods. Advocates fear the move undermines progress and goes against promoting smoking cessation aids like vapes. Concerns arise about the ban's impact on smoking prevalence goals and the effectiveness of vape products compared to cigarettes. Worldwide, inconsistencies in tobacco harm reduction policies persist, with advocates urging for consumer-friendly regulations. Experts warn New Zealand risks jeopardizing its successful tobacco control efforts and urge policymakers to reconsider the ban's impact carefully.
August 06, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu
New Zealand to be declared ‘smoke-free’ - thanks to vaping
New Zealand aims to achieve smoke-free status by the end of 2025 by promoting vaping as a smoking cessation tool. The country's smoking rate has dropped to 6.8%, with the government anticipating it to go below 5% soon. Vaping has been instrumental in reducing smoking, with a 43% drop since 2020. The government introduced public support programs and a vaping information website to aid smokers in quitting. New Zealand's successful anti-smoking efforts serve as a model for other countries, as vaping is deemed safer than smoking. Restrictions on vapes have been implemented to prevent youth vaping, while reusable vapes remain available as an adult smoking cessation aid.