Smokefree 2025 under threat

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) calls on the government to pass a second reading of the bill on standardised packaging first thing in the New Year.

The smoking rate is decreasing only very slowly according to the Government’s latest 2014/15 NZ Health Survey data, despite the government’s goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa NZ by 2025.

Emeritus Professor Robert Beaglehole is disappointed at the results given that tobacco use is still the most important preventable cause of death, disability and health inequalities in NZ. "This is not good enough, we need a stronger Smokefree 2025 campaign that ensures that progress gets back on track."

The 2014/15 NZ Health Survey data shows a minimal 1.6% reduction for current smokers (adults who smoke at least monthly) and 1.3% reduction in daily smoking over the past 3 years. Māori continue to have the highest rates of smoking despite achieving the highest reduction in current smoking (2.1%) and daily smoking (2.2%).

Zoe Hawke, Kaiwhakahaere (Director) for the National Maori Tobacco Control Leadership Service, Te Ara Hā Ora, says, “For Māori the results are persistently unacceptable. Collectively, communities, decision makers, and the tobacco control sector should be prioritising solutions that will make the difference.”

The Government has agreed to the SF2025 goal and is preparing a plan of action to reach this goal – the plan must include the best combination of strategies to ensure Māori and Pacific also reach Smokefree 2025.

ASH Director, Stephanie Erick, said, “Key and urgent interventions should be highlighted in the draft government plan including Standardised packaging, regular and large tax increases, targeted media campaigns, licensing system for retailers, smoke free cars and more Smokefree Environments”. Ms Erick says, “local leadership must continue to strengthen the country’s consensus and generate more solutions for Smokefree 2025.”

Tala Pasifika Programme Manager, Edward Cowley, says, “Smoking is highly addictive and survey’s show 80% of smokers wish they never started. The 2014/15 NZ Health Survey data reveal a marginal reduction for Pacific – only 0.2% for daily smokers and 1.2% for current smokers – almost half the reduction compared to Māori.”

“A country that doesn’t seriously address tobacco use is irresponsible,” says Emeritus Professor Beaglehole.

“We need everyone working together in partnership in our communities and with central government to eliminate the harms caused by tobacco use,” says Mr Cowley.

Te Ara Hā Ora is the National Māori Tobacco Control Leadership Service.

Tala Pasifika is the National Pacific Tobacco Control Leadership Service.

ASH is the leading organisation campaigning for effective action to achieve a Smokefree Aotearoa New Zealand by 2025.

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