December 18, 2023

Smokefree law needed to cut Māori rates

Adam Gifford Posted On December 18, 2023

University of Otago researchers say the latest smoking prevalence data from the New Zealand Health Survey highlights the need for the smokefree measures the new Government intends to scrap.

The survey estimates estimates daily smoking has reduced from 8.6 percent to 6.8 percent, but daily smoking among Māori is 17.1 percent.

ASPIRE Aotearoa co-director Professor Richard Edwards says the measures in the Smokefree Legislation were a way to accelerate the reduction in smoking prevalence, particularly for Māori.

Reducing smoking equitably will decrease the huge burden of ill health and avoidable death that people in Aotearoa continue to suffer, and eliminate the health inequities smoking imposes on Māori, as quickly as possible.