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 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.
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.