While approximately 23% of adult New Zealanders are smokers, the figure rises to 47% for adult Maori. In 2004, one person in five among European/others (20%), just under one in three Pacific people (29%) and just under one in two Maori (47%) was a cigarette smoker.
Through the Auahi Kore programme HSC aims to reduce the inequality in smoking uptake among Maori. This includes:
Reducing the exposure of young Maori to smoking behaviours.
Increasing the ability of young Maori to resist tobacco use.
Increasing the strength of associations between young Maori and their key social environments.
While the goal of Auahi Kore is to decrease smoking prevalence and consumption, there is also a strong desire to decrease the health inequalities between Maori and non-Maori. In the long-term, the aim of Auahi Kore is to recapture the Smokefree status of Maori. To achieve this Auahi Kore seeks to develop a strong relationship between being Maori and being Auahi Kore.
Auahi Kore focuses on initiatives that reflect traditional Maori images and activities while incorporating contemporary aspects to help keep the programme relevant, particularly for rangatahi (Maori youth). These activities aim to strengthen the message that Auahi Kore belongs to Maori.
As with the other tobacco control programmes, the primary focus for Auahi Kore over the next three years is to reduce smoking initiation. Specific strategies will be developed that will be relevant and engaging for Maori.
Visit www.auahikore.org.nz for more information on what HSC is doing in this area.
