TOBACCO CONTROL - GENERAL


Tobacco smoking is the chief cause of preventable death in New Zealand. It is estimated that, on average, 4,700 people die each year from smoking-related illnesses.

The burden associated with smoking falls disproportionately on Maori (47%), Pacific peoples (29%), and lower socio-economic populations generally.

In addition to the many thousands of New Zealanders affected by smoking (23% of New Zealanders over the age of 15 identify themselves as smokers), many more are affected by exposure to second-hand smoke. Past exposure to second-hand smoke is estimated to be responsible for about 350 deaths per year in New Zealand plus a number of diseases and illnesses.

In early 2004 the HSC, with support from the Cancer Society, Apaarangi Tautoko Auahi Kore (now known as Te Reo Marama) and the Smokefree Coalition, sought and attained funding from the Ministry of Health to develop a national framework for action to reduce smoking initiation.

An expert advisory group was established and oversaw the development of a literature review of the evidence around effective interventions for reducing smoking initiation. From this a framework to reduce smoking initiation in New Zealand was established, setting out practical actions for implementation.

Attached are the literature review [PDF, 1.4M, 137 pages] and the framework for reducing smoking initiation [PDF, 904KB, 48 pages].

The Framework has been developed for use by health providers, health funders, policy makers and researchers interested in youth tobacco control. All of HSC’s tobacco control work is consistent with the Framework.


The major focus for HSC’s tobacco control work (consistent with the Reducing Smoking Initiation Framework) is on reducing the incidence of New Zealanders becoming addicted smokers by: