November 18, 2022
Vaping push misguided says Asthma Foundation
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation says a survey showing a drop in overall smoking rates cast doubt on the Health Ministry’s strategy of promoting vaping for smoking cessation.
Chief executive Letitia Harding says a drop in the wahine Maori smoking rate was positive, the rate of Māori women vaping more than doubled from 10 percent to 21.2 percent.
The annual New Zealand Health Survey showed the rate of vaping among young people aged 15 to 24 years the rates grew from 12.4 percent to 18.6 percent.
Ms Harding says if vaping was working as a cessation tool, we should see the rates of smoking falling across the board.
The youth smoking and vaping rates indicate young people need a lot more support.
The Foundation just completed a pilot programme working with youth to educate and help quit vaping in the Tairāwhiti region, which it hopes to roll out to other regions next year.