New Zealand Is Smokefree

The data from the Survey shows the decline has been so significant that statisticians now struggle to accurately measure the small proportion of young smokers due to sample size limitations. 

Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, commented on this remarkable achievement: “New Zealand's success in reducing smoking rates is a testament to the country's progressive approach to tobacco harm reduction. By embracing vaping and other less harmful alternatives, we've seen smoking rates drop from 11.9% in 2020 to an astounding 6.8% in 2023. This is a clear indication that our strategy is working.

“The success is particularly notable among young people, with youth smoking rates reaching historic lows. "The fact that we're having difficulty measuring youth smoking rates due to their minuscule prevalence is a cause for celebration. It's a clear sign that we're winning the battle against smoking-related harm.”

Despite the success, described by Loucas as “undeniable”, some in the tobacco control and public health sectors are reported to being reluctant to acknowledge the effectiveness of New Zealand's approach. 

Loucas expressed her frustration with their attitude: “It's perplexing that some individuals in tobacco control can't seem to accept our successful strategy. We've achieved what many thought impossible, yet instead of celebrating, they're focusing on potential issues with vaping. We need to recognise this victory and continue supporting policies that have proven effective in reducing smoking rates.”

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates is urging policymakers and health advocates around the world to look to New Zealand as a model for successful tobacco harm reduction. The organisation emphasises the importance of embracing evidence-based approaches that include a range of less harmful alternatives to smoking. 

Loucas concluded: “Our success story should be a wake-up call for countries like Australia who are still clinging to prohibitionist policies. It's time to put aside preconceived notions and focus on what works - a pragmatic, harm-reduction approach that prioritises public health over ideology.”

CAPHRA remains committed to advocating for sensible policies that continue to drive down smoking rates while providing adult smokers with safer alternatives.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Advocates is a regional alliance of consumer tobacco harm reduction advocacy organisations. Its mission is to educate, advocate and represent the right of adult alternative nicotine consumers to access and use of products that reduce harm from tobacco use. 

References:

• The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates - https://caphraorg.net/   
•  New Zealand Health Survey - https://healthify.nz/news/new-zealand-health-survey/ 
• Annual Update of Key Results 2022/23: New Zealand Health Survey -  https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/annual-update-of-key-results-202223-new-zealand-health-survey 

Photo Credit:

• Sky photo by Gabriel Lamza on Unsplash, resized

Dave Cross

Journalist at POTV

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Dave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.