New Zealand’s Progress Toward a Smokefree Future
New Zealand is making incredible progress toward its Smokefree 2025 goal. A recent government report shows just how much has changed, with smoking rates dropping significantly over the past 12 years.
Since 2011/12, daily smoking rates have fallen nearly 60%, from 16.4% to just 6.9% in 2023/24. That means 273,000 fewer smokers in New Zealand! Even more encouraging, smoking among 15- to 17-year-olds is now below 1%.
This success is due to strong public health initiatives, awareness campaigns, and policies designed to protect communities from the harms of smoking. However, there is still work to do to ensure that tobacco and vape products remain out of reach for young people.
Help protect our community
Make a smoking or vaping complaint or enquiry – under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.
If you have concerns about retailers selling tobacco or vapes to under-18s, unlawful tobacco displays, or smoking and vaping in restricted areas, you can report these issues. Making a complaint or enquiry using this form helps safeguard public health and keeps the momentum going toward a healthier Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Let’s continue working together to create a future where every New Zealander can breathe easier and live healthier lives.
A recent article released by the New Zealand Government, and their commitment to reduce New Zealand’s smoking rates and achieving the ‘Smokefree 2025’ goal.. For more details, you can read the full Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora publication here
Download the pdf here
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Getting-to-Smokefree-2025-The-final-push-to-achieving-the-Smokefree-2025-goal (27 November 2024)
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