Tobacco Trends 2006
Monitoring Tobacco use in New Zealand
Date of publication: December 2006
Summary
The prevalence of smoking has decreased in New Zealanders since the 1970s, yet approximately one in every four New Zealanders remains a current smoker. New Zealand currently has a world class tobacco monitoring system with the development of the New Zealand Tobacco Use Survey (NZTUS). Monitoring behaviours relating to tobacco use in New Zealand is vital for the development and evaluation of effective tobacco control policies, programmes and services.
Tobacco Trends 2006 adds to and extends the 2005 Tobacco Facts publication, providing estimates of the prevalence of tobacco use in New Zealand. Much of the data presented in this report have been derived from the New Zealand Tobacco Use Survey (NZTUS), which was in field for the first time in 2006. The NZTUS is a tool that monitors tobacco use in New Zealand and provides reliable estimates that are representative of the national population. These estimates, broken down by gender, ethnic group, age group and smoker type are updated annually and trends are presented where possible.
This report presents information about the following indicators:
- Prevalence and smoking history
- Consumption and supply
- Tobacco use and youth
- Cessation programmes and services
- Roll your own tobacco vs. manufactured cigarette use and consumption
Key findings from the report include:
- The prevalence of smoking in New Zealand in 2006 is 23.5%. Prevalence has decreased overall since the 1970s.
- Highest smoking prevalence is seen among those aged 15-29 years, the lowest smoking prevalence is seen among those aged 50-64 years.
- Overall, the prevalence of smoking in males (24%) is slightly higher than females (23%).
- There is a higher prevalence of ex-daily smokers older than 20 years and a lower prevalence of current daily smokers over 40 years old.
- Smoking rates are highest among Mäori (45%) and Pacific people (37%), Mäori females in particular have a very high rate of smoking (50%).
- The prevalence of smoking in youth aged 15-19 years is 26.8%. In this age group, 25% are daily smokers and 70% identify themselves as being never smokers i.e. never having smoked daily.
- Among Maori aged 15-19 years, females have a higher smoking prevalence (60%) compared to males (32%). The reverse is true among Pacific peoples, with 28% of females smoking compared to 46% males.
Publication availability
This publication is available in Word and PDF format below:
Tobacco Trends 2006: Monitoring Tobacco use in New Zealand (Word, 768 KB)
Tobacco Trends 2006: Monitoring Tobacco use in New Zealand (PDF, 262 KB)
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Publishing information
Date of publication: December 2006
ISBN 978-0-478-30740-5 (Website)
HP 4351
Citation: Ministry of Health. 2006. Tobacco Trends 2006: Monitoring tobacco use in New Zealand. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Related information
National Drugs Policy (www.ndp.govt.nz)
Tobacco Trends 2008: A brief update of tobacco use in New Zealand
