Frequently asked questions
To to view answers click on * next to question
What are the health effects of smoking? *
Smoking has many negative health effects including increased risk of developing diseases such as stroke and heart disease; cancers of the lung, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and pancreas; diseases of the urinary tract, pelvis, bladder and digestive tract; and blindness.
Smoking causes one in four of all cancer deaths in New Zealand, and causes one out of every 10 deaths worldwide. Around 4700 New Zealanders die each year as a result of their own smoking.
Second-hand smoke, where non-smokers breathe in the smoke of others around them, has also been shown to cause heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, asthma and the worsening of asthma symptoms, eye and nasal irritation and nasal sinus cancer. Exposure of non-smoking women to second-hand smoke during pregnancy can reduce foetal growth, and is also associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Around 350 New Zealanders die each year because of exposure to other people’s tobacco smoke.
To find out more, see the Health Effects of Smoking section of this website.
Where can I go for information about quitting smoking? *
A number of New Zealand smokefree websites have information about the benefits and quitting smoking, and how to quit.
To find out more, see the Quitting Smoking section of this website.
I’ve heard there’s a number you can call to talk to someone about quitting and to get low cost patches and gum. How can I find out more? *
Using nicotine patches and gum can double your chances of quitting. The Quit Group offers a service where you can call them or fill out an online form to receive a Quit Card to take to a pharmacy and get a low cost, eight-week supply of patches and/or gum.
If you call the Quitline (0800 778 778) you can talk to a smokefree advisor about quitting and receiving support while you quit. The Quit Group website also has other useful resources like an online blog and quitting calculators. There is no cost to become a member.
To find out more, see the Quit Smoking Programmes section of this website.
Are there any quit smoking programmes specifically for Māori? *
The Quit Group service (see the Quit Smoking Programmes section of this website) has a number of Māori advisors, and has improving quit rates among Māori as one of its aims. The Quit Group provides quit smoking services to all New Zealanders.
The Aukati Kai Paipa programme runs from nearly 40 sites around New Zealand and provides one-to-one counselling to help Māori quit smoking. It is mainly for Māori women and their whānau. To find your nearest provider go to www.aukatikaipaipa.co.nz.
Are there any smokefree websites specifically for Māori? *
Yes, there are a number of smokefree websites that have information specific to Māori and smoking. Auahi Kore, Aukati Kai Paipa, Endangered Species, Te Hotu Manawa Māori and Te Reo Marama all look at smokefree issues from a Māori perspective.
There are also a number of sites providing research information related to Māori and smoking.
To find out more, see the Tobacco and Smoking – Māori section of this website.
Are there any quit smoking programmes specifically for Pacific peoples? *
The Quit Group service (see the Quit Smoking Programmes section of this website) has a number of Pacific advisors and is developing resources and campaigns specifically for Pacific peoples. The Quit Group provides quit smoking services to all New Zealanders.
To find out more, see the Tobacco and Smoking – Pacific peoples section of this website.
What online resources are available to help someone quit smoking? *
There are lots of resources available online to help with quitting or with spreading the smokefree message, or to give you a better understanding of smoking and its effects in New Zealand. Many resources are free and these include brochures, leaflets, fact sheets, posters and booklets. There are also resources you can purchase such as smokefree clothing, stickers and key rings.
This website has two sections of resources, one for the general public and one for tobacco control professionals. If you are specifically looking for resources, you might want to check both sections.
To find out more, see the Smokefree Resources and Information for tobacco control professionals - Resources sections of this website.
How can I find or contact someone who works in Smokefree/Auahi Kore in my area? *
Check out www.smokefreecontacts.org.nz to find smokefree auahi kore contacts in your area. The Smokefree Coalition also has a Smokefree/Auahi Kore Directory that provides contact details for individuals and tobacco control organisations in New Zealand. It is available to Smokefree/Auahi Kore workers in print form. A regularly updated PDF copy is available for anyone to download from the Smokefree Coalition website.
Are there any smokefree websites set up for children? *
The Lungfish website is a fun site encouraging children to be smokefree. Some websites provide helpful information for parents about their children and smoking. There are also smokefree sites with information about legal requirements where children are involved, such as in schools, kura and early childhood centres.
To find out more, see the Schools/Children section of this website.
Where can I find out about the activities of the tobacco industry in New Zealand? *
The activities of the tobacco industry in New Zealand are covered on a number of websites, and topics range from the history of tobacco use to specific information about tobacco companies and their profits and annual returns.
To find out more, see the Tobacco Industry section of this website.
What sort of laws does New Zealand have about smoking? *
New Zealand has strong tobacco control legislation, including bans on tobacco advertising and sponsorship, the sale of cigarettes to those under 18 years and on smoking on public transport.
Indoor workplaces are required to be smokefree under the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003, including bars, restaurants, clubs, casinos, offices, factories, warehouses and work canteens. Schools and early childhood centres are also required to be smokefree at all times – including in their grounds.
To find out more, see the Legislation section of this website.
Under New Zealand law, what are the requirements for my school, workplace or licensed premises? *
Schools, including early childhood centres/kura, are required to be smokefree 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including in the school grounds. Workplaces must be smokefree at all times, including transport vehicles, and the same is true for all licensed premises. Hospitality venues may provide uncovered, outdoor areas for smoking patrons, but there are specific legal requirements for these.
To find out more, see the Legislation section of this website.
Where can I make a complaint if I think a smokefree law has been broken? *
To complain about a breach of New Zealand’s smokefree legislation, contact a smokefree officer at your local public health service. A list of numbers to call is available at the Smokefree Law website.
Can I get any help in approaching my council about smokefree outdoor places? *
A number of councils around New Zealand have introduced smokefree policies for their parks, playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools and/or other outdoor areas. These policies generally rely on signage and education and, though not strictly enforced, tend to be well supported by the public.
You can find out more about how to approach and work with your local council to implement such a policy at the Smokefree Councils website.
What sort of research has been done into smoking in New Zealand? *
A considerable amount of research has been done on smoking in New Zealand and its effects. Topics include smoking rates, the disease burden from smoking and second-hand smoke, tobacco additives, smoking and youth, smoking and Māori, smoking and Pacific peoples and the effectiveness of strategies for tobacco control. Facts and figures are often provided in easy to use fact sheets, but in-depth research is also available at various sites.
To find out more, see the Research and Evaluation section of this website.
What are New Zealand’s smoking statistics? *
The following statistics are key findings from the Ministry of Health's 'New Zealand Health Survey 2006/7', published in June 2008.
|
1.
|
In New Zealand, one in five adults smoke.
|
|
2.
|
One in three adults aged over 15 years have never tried smoking, not even a puff.
|
|
3.
|
Over half of those aged 15-17 years have never tried smoking.
|
|
4.
|
1/7 of those aged 15-17 years smoke.
|
|
5.
|
42% of adult Māori smoke
|
|
6.
|
More Māori women (45%) than men (39%) smoke
|
|
7.
|
27% of Pacific people smoke
|
|
8.
|
More Pacific men (33%) than women (21%) smoke
|
|
9.
|
Smoking prevalence is three times higher in the most socio-economically deprived quintile of the population compared to the least deprived quintile.
|
|
10.
|
Smoking rates have declined significantly for both the adult population overall and for Māori. Overall population daily smoking prevalence has dropped from 23.4% in 2002/03 to 18.7% in 2006/07.
|
|
To access the full report, see www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/portrait-of-health
NB: Unless otherwise stated, the smoking rates above are for current daily and non daily smokers (see Monitoring Tobacco Use in NZ: A technical report on defining smoking status and estimates of smoking prevalence). Percentages rounded up or down to nearest whole number.
|
What is World Smokefree Day, and how can I find out about it? *
World Smokefree Day (known elsewhere in the world as World No Tobacco Day) is annually promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 31 May. The day's activities vary from country to country.
The purpose of World Smokefree Day is to inform the public about the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what is being done to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
You can find out more about the next World Smokefree Day (as well as what’s happened in the past) at the World Smokefree Day website.
