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
August 05, 2024 by filtermag.org
New Zealand Boosts Heated Tobacco Products for Harm Reduction
New Zealand has decreased excise tax on heated tobacco products by 50%, aiming to promote harm reduction in smoking. The country champions safer alternatives like heated tobacco products and vaping, with a goal to become smoke-free by 2025. The move has sparked debate, with some concerned about Big Tobacco influence. Experts recommend affordable access to lower-risk nicotine substitutes for effective smoking cessation. However, awareness about heated tobacco products remains low. Despite criticism, reducing taxes on these products could benefit those looking to quit smoking, particularly low-income individuals.
July 30, 2024 by scoop.co.nz
CAPHRA Calls Out Misinformation On Vaping As Blatant Propaganda
CAPHRA criticizes misinformation on vaping as detrimental propaganda by some factions in tobacco control. They highlight the benefits of safer nicotine products in reducing smoking rates and health risks, supported by evidence from countries like the UK and New Zealand. CAPHRA urges governments and health organizations to prioritize accurate information and harm reduction strategies to combat smoking effectively. Embracing harm reduction is crucial to tackling smoking-related diseases.
July 24, 2024 by waateanews.com
Where There’s Smokeless There’s Fire
A Māori Public Health Researcher Says Communications from Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Over Tobacco Policy Are at Odds with Advice from Her Ministry.
July 24, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
CAPHRA Call to Asia Pacific Governments
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is urging governments across the Asia Pacific region to follow New Zealand's lead and allow the sale of oral nicotine products as part of a comprehensive tobacco harm reduction strategy.
June 28, 2024 by rnz.co.nz
Australians will soon only be able to buy vapes from pharmacies. Should New Zealand follow suit?
Australia will restrict vape sales to pharmacies, diverging from New Zealand's approach. This move prioritizes public health, utilizing pharmacists' expertise to support smokers transitioning to vaping. Despite concerns about stricter regulation compared to tobacco, limiting young people's access to vaping is essential. New Zealand faces rising youth vaping rates, necessitating comprehensive and proportional policies. Recent regulations struggled to curb vaping trends, highlighting the need for stricter measures like removing displays in retail outlets and restricting proximity to schools. Advocates urge reintroducing evidence-based regulations and aligning vaping policies with tobacco controls to safeguard youth from nicotine addiction.
May 24, 2024 by rnz.co.nz
Many vape stores located near schools in poorest areas, study finds
A new study by the University of Canterbury found that approximately 30% of vape stores in the country are located within a five-minute walk of a school. The research identified a higher presence of vape stores in lower socio-economic areas and close to schools, with a significant difference among different areas. The study highlighted the need for further research on the impact of vape store exposure on youth vaping. New regulations have been introduced, restricting vape shop locations near schools and marae. The researchers created an interactive map for tracking vape store density. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing youth vaping trends.
May 22, 2024 by nzherald.co.nz
Cook Islands ban vapes, smoking age raised to 21
The Cook Islands are implementing stricter regulations on tobacco and vape products due to the rise of non-communicable diseases. The new laws include a ban on imitation tobacco products, raising the smoking age to 21, and hefty fines for non-compliance. The government aims to curb youth access to vaping devices and combat misinformation about their harmful effects. While some believe vaping offers a safer alternative to smoking, critics argue against infringing on individual rights and question the extent of smoking-related health issues in the Cook Islands. The legislation aligns with global health standards, with concerns about potential black market activity emerging once vaping is outlawed.
April 22, 2024 by mja.com.au
Who pays the price for New Zealand's tobacco backflip?
Repealing the Smokefree Act in Aotearoa New Zealand benefits the government by preserving tobacco excise revenue but also favors the tobacco industry. Despite strong opposition, the government repealed the Act, jeopardizing efforts to reduce smoking rates and health inequalities. The legislation aimed to create a tobacco-free generation through denicotinisation, limiting tobacco retailers, and banning cigarette sales to those born after 2008. Repealing the Act is criticized for prioritizing short-term economic gains over long-term public health benefits, disproportionately affecting Māori. The decision has been condemned as harmful to public health progress and economic well-being. Leaders emphasize the significance of ambitious tobacco policies for health, economic gains, and equity.
April 08, 2024 by sciencedirect.com
How New Zealand adults who smoked understand novel tobacco ‘endgame’ policies. Qualitative analysis using the associative propositional evaluation model to determine comprehension.
Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of early death. In 2022, New Zealand legislated to introduce three previously untried tobacco ‘endgame’ policies aimed at reducing demand for cigarettes and restricting supply. This study aimed to determine how a key stakeholder group, NZ adults with no intent or low belief that they could stop smoking by 2025, understood proposals to restrict nicotine in combustible tobacco and the number of tobacco retailers to a very low level, annually raise the age of purchase, set minimum prices, and ban filters.
March 25, 2024 by go.com
New Zealand will ban disposable e-cigarettes in bid to stop minors taking up habit
New Zealand said Wednesday it will ban disposable e-cigarettes, or vapes, and raise financial penalties for those who sell such products to minors. The move comes less than a month after the government repealed a unique law enacted by the previous left-leaning government to phase out tobacco smoking by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes. New Zealand’s Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said Wednesday that e-cigarettes remain “a key smoking cessation device” and the new regulations will help prevent minors from taking up the habit.