New Zealand Achieves Record Low Smoking Rate

According to a report in The Guardian, the New Zealand government has released data on Thursday the 16th of this month showing that the percentage of adults who smoke daily has dropped from 9.4% last year to 8%, the lowest on record and one of the lowest smoking rates in the world. This places New Zealand one step closer to achieving their goal of a smoke-free nation by 2025, based on current trends.

The number of smokers in New Zealand has decreased by 56,000 people in the past year, with the current smoking rate now at half of what it was 10 years ago. It is worth noting that the daily use of new non-combustible smoking alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, has increased significantly from 6.2% last year to 8.3%. The Guardian's analysis suggests that the smoking rate in New Zealand is expected to reach a new low because many smokers have switched to new non-combustible smoking alternatives, such as e-cigarettes.

Ayesha Verrall, the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Health, expressed great pleasure with the success of the smoking control measures in New Zealand. She believed the data showed that the measures put in place by the government have been effective in reducing the number of smokers, especially when many other countries saw an increase in smoking rates during pandemic lockdowns.

New Zealand is one of the world's most ambitious anti-smoking countries. In August of this year, the government passed legislation that prohibits teenagers from ever purchasing traditional tobacco products, but does not include new non-combustible smoking alternatives. The goal is to create a "smoke-free generation.

According to the website of the local health authority, new non-combustible smoking alternatives have been regulated in New Zealand since November 2020. People can use these products to help quit smoking, but they may not be sold as smoking cessation medication. However, the website also notes that short-term use of these products may cause side effects such as headaches, dry mouth, and sore throat.

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