On November 19, New Zealand's Ministry of Health released the results of the 2023-2024 Health Survey.
Key Findings for the Total Population (15+)
Decline in Daily Smoking:
Daily smoking rates have steadily decreased since 2011/12, with an accelerated decline observed from 2019/20 onwards.
- In 2023/24, the daily smoking rate was 6.9%, nearly unchanged from 6.8% in 2022/23, but significantly down from 16.4% in 2011/12.
- The number of daily smokers dropped from 573,000 in 2011/12 to 300,000 in 2023/24.
Rise in Daily Vaping:
Daily vaping prevalence has surged since it was first measured in 2015/16, when it was just 0.9%. After a steady rise in the early years, growth accelerated sharply from 2020/21.
- In 2023/24, the daily vaping rate reached 11.1%, up from 9.7% the previous year.
- The number of daily vapers increased from 33,000 in 2015/16 to 480,000 in 2023/24.
Age-Group Insights
- Among 15–17 and 18–24-year-olds, vaping has grown faster than the decline in smoking.
- For adults aged 25–64, the rise in vape use aligns closely with the decline in smoking.
- Among 15–44-year-olds, daily vapers now outnumber daily smokers, but this trend is less pronounced for those aged 45–64.
- For individuals aged 65 and older, smoking rates remain relatively high, with slower adoption of vaping.
The Associate Minister of Health, Casey Costello, said: "Most of the survey data shows a continuation of the great progress that's been made in the last few years - especially with falling numbers of Māori smokers and very low rates of youth smoking".
"Early next year I will also take proposals to cabinet for an improved regulatory regime around all nicotine and tobacco products with a view to having a system that is aimed at reducing harm, that is coherent across products, and enforceable".
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