Smoking in New Zealand

Last updated

'Cancer', 1958 (17909231579).jpg
How Many Cigarettes a Day Does Your Child Smoke%3F (21840776552).jpg
Department of Health anti-smoking posters, 1958 (Source: Archives New Zealand)

The use of tobacco for smoking in New Zealand has been subjected to government regulation for a number of decades. On 10 December 2004, New Zealand became the third country in the world to make all indoor workplaces including bars and restaurants smoke-free. The smoking rate in New Zealand was about 8% as of 2023 when the new government planned to eliminate the nation's smoking ban to fund tax cuts. [1]

Contents

Consumption

The number of cigarettes available for consumption, a statistical measure that reflects sales, has generally been decreasing since they peaked at 6.3 billion in 1977 but consumption has remained constant from 2005 through to 2008 at 2.4 billion cigarettes. Over the last 30 years the number of cigarettes that have been available has dropped by 61.5%. The volume of tobacco available for consumption rose to a new high of 904 tonnes and was 83.3 percent higher than the lowest amount recorded in 1985. [2]

Legislation

The first building in the world to have a smoke-free policy was the Old Government Building in Wellington in 1876. This policy was enacted over concerns about the threat of fire, as it was the second largest wooden building in the world. [3]

The earliest attempt at tobacco control was in 1907, when the government moved to ban tobacco sales to persons under the age of 16, as it was feared that tobacco would "stunt" a minor's growth. However, this law was not enforced until 1988. In 1997, the age restriction was increased to 18 years. Although it is now illegal to sell tobacco products to a minor, a minor may still publicly consume, possess and distribute tobacco to friends without penalty (as opposed to alcohol).

The Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 was passed to prevent the effects of passive smoking on other people by restricting cigarette smoking in places such as workplaces and schools. [4]

New Zealand passed an amendment to the Smoke-free Environments Act on 3 December 2003 (effective in 2004) which covers all indoor public workplaces and hospitality venues (pubs, bars, nightclubs, charter club bars, restaurants and casinos). Studies have shown very high levels of compliance with the law. Also, the air quality at indoor hospitality venues is very good compared to similar settings in other countries where smoking is still permitted. [5] [6]

Outdoor smoke-free laws cover the grounds of all schools, some council-owned parks (e.g., in South Taranaki and Upper Hutt), the grounds of some hospitals, stadiums and most university campuses. However, these laws are not strictly enforced apart from a polite request from security guards and property owners. The government has not moved to restrict smoking in cars, but has run mass media campaigns that promote smoke-free cars and homes.

Smoking on domestic flights was banned in 1988 and on all international flights as of 1996.

Cigarette advertising was banned on TV and radio in 1963, on cinemas and billboards in 1971, and in print media in 1990. Tobacco sponsorship was phased out in 1995 and tobacco signage banned from outside shops the same year. Tobacco displays themselves were banned in 2012. [7]

The National Tobacco Company Ltd building in Napier, New Zealand National Tobacco Company Ltd building in Napier, New Zealand.jpg
The National Tobacco Company Ltd building in Napier, New Zealand

The sale of single cigarettes was banned in early 1998, and cigarettes are required to be sold in packs of no fewer than 20. The New Zealand government's National Drug Policy 2007–2012 seeks to reduce the effects of tobacco use by limiting availability, limiting the use of tobacco, and reducing harm from existing tobacco use. [8]

On 9 December 2021, Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall confirmed that the Sixth Labour Government would introduce legislation to significantly reduce the availability of tobacco products in the country, by prohibiting their sale to anyone born after 2008 (described as creating a "smokefree generation"), and restricting them to specialty stores only. There would also be a restriction on nicotine content. [9] [10] The announcement was praised by the Green Party and several health leaders including New Zealand Medical Association chair Alistair Humphrey, Health Coalition Aotearoa smokefree expert advisory group chair Sally Liggins, and University of Auckland Associate Dean of Pacific Collin Tukuitonga for addressing the health effects of smoking particularly within the Māori and Pasifika communities. By contrast, ACT health spokesperson Karen Chhour criticised the proposed legislation, stating that prohibition was unworkable and claiming that it would create a black market for tobacco products. [11] [12]

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022 was passed on 13 December 2022, banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009 and reducing the number of retailers allowed to sell tobacco products [13] [14] On 27 November 2023, the incoming National-led coalition government announced it would repeal the Smokefree Environments Amendment Act to fund its promised tax cuts. [15] [16]

Lobbying

On 5 September 2007, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) called for the removal of tobacco from sale by 2017. [17] Tobacco displays in shops were banned in 2012. [18] Winston Peters, himself a smoker, has long been lobbying for the rights of smokers. In the 2016 New Zealand budget, ACT New Zealand also came out lobbying on behalf of smokers, arguing that although tax on tobacco had doubled in the last five years, smoking rates had only dropped by 1.3 percent. [19]

Littering

National Litter Audit 2019 - top 12 categories by items per 1,000m Litter Audit NZ 2019 - top 12 by category.svg
National Litter Audit 2019 – top 12 categories by items per 1,000m

The littering of cigarette butts is recognised as a pervasive issue in New Zealand. [20] In the National Litter Audit conducted in 2019, cigarette butts were the most commonly found items. [21]

A study conducted in urban Wellington in 2011 found that smokers littering cigarette butts was the norm, even when rubbish bins were nearby. Littering of cigarette butts was more common in the evening, where 85.8% of smokers were observed littering, compared with the afternoon, when 68.1% were observed littering. In addition, 73.5% of smokers did not extinguish their butts. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cigarette</span> Small roll of cut tobacco designed to be smoked

A cigarette is a narrow cylinder containing a combustible material, typically tobacco, that is rolled into thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end, causing it to smolder; the resulting smoke is orally inhaled via the opposite end. Cigarette smoking is the most common method of tobacco consumption. The term cigarette, as commonly used, refers to a tobacco cigarette, but the word is sometimes used to refer to other substances, such as a cannabis cigarette or an herbal cigarette. A cigarette is distinguished from a cigar by its usually smaller size, use of processed leaf, and paper wrapping, which is typically white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

The Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003 is an Act of Parliament in New Zealand that prohibits smoking in all workplaces including offices, clubs, pubs, restaurants, airports, and schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoking ban</span> Law prohibiting tobacco smoking in a given space

Smoking bans, or smoke-free laws, are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, that prohibit tobacco smoking in certain spaces. The spaces most commonly affected by smoking bans are indoor workplaces and buildings open to the public such as restaurants, bars, office buildings, schools, retail stores, hospitals, libraries, transport facilities, and government buildings, in addition to public transport vehicles such as aircraft, buses, watercraft, and trains. However, laws may also prohibit smoking in outdoor areas such as parks, beaches, pedestrian plazas, college and hospital campuses, and within a certain distance from the entrance to a building, and in some cases, private vehicles and multi-unit residences.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is the name of a number of autonomous pressure groups (charities) in the anglosphere that seek to publicize the risks associated with tobacco smoking and campaign for greater restrictions on use and on cigarette and tobacco sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoking bans in the United Kingdom</span> Laws restricting cigarettes in the UK

Because of the damage to health due to smoking in the United Kingdom it may be the first country to ban sales of cigarettes to people born after a certain year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Litter in New Zealand</span>

Litter is a global issue and has a significant human impact on the environment. Litter is especially hazardous because it can enter ecosystems and harm a country's biodiversity. Litter is a prevalent environmental issue in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tobacco politics</span> Politics surrounding the use and distribution of tobacco

Tobacco politics refers to the politics surrounding the use and distribution of tobacco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tobacco control</span> Field of health science

Tobacco control is a field of international public health science, policy and practice dedicated to addressing tobacco use and thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality it causes. Since most cigarettes and cigars and hookahs contain/use tobacco, tobacco control also concerns these. E-cigarettes do not contain tobacco itself, but (often) do contain nicotine. Tobacco control is a priority area for the World Health Organization (WHO), through the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. References to a tobacco control movement may have either positive or negative connotations, depending upon the commentator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 is an Act of Parliament in New Zealand. The Act placed smoking restrictions on indoor spaces, banned smoking on public transport and established the Health Sponsorship Council. The bill was introduced by Helen Clark, then Minister of Health and later Prime Minister. Clark would later refer to the law as "one of my proudest achievements as a politician". It was amended by the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003, which completely eliminated smoking in workspaces, by the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020, which renamed the Act and brought it "up to date", and by the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act 2022.

Smoking bans in private vehicles are enacted to protect passengers from secondhand smoke and to increase road traffic safety, e.g. by preventing the driver from being distracted by the act of smoking. Smoking bans in private vehicles are less common than bans extended to public transport or vehicles used during work, like trucks or police cars.

Smoking in China is prevalent, as the People's Republic of China is the world's largest consumer and producer of tobacco. As of 2022, there are around 300 million Chinese smokers, and 2.4 trillion cigarettes are sold there every year, 46% of the world total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoking in Singapore</span>

Smoking in Singapore is subjected to restrictions enacted through various legislations such as the Smoking Act, which was first enacted in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoking in Canada</span>

SmokinginCanada is banned in indoor public spaces, public transit facilities and workplaces, by all territories and provinces, and by the federal government. As of 2010, legislation banning smoking within each of these jurisdictions is mostly consistent, despite the separate development of legislation by each jurisdiction. Notable variations between the jurisdictions include: whether, and in what circumstances ventilated smoking rooms are permitted; whether, and up to what distance away from a building is smoking banned outside of a building; and, whether smoking is banned in private vehicles occupied by children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plain tobacco packaging</span> Legally mandated packaging of tobacco products without any brand imagery

Plain tobacco packaging, also known as generic, neutral, standardised or homogeneous packaging, is packaging of tobacco products, typically cigarettes, without any branding, including only the brand name in a mandated size, font and place on the pack, in addition to the health warnings and any other legally mandated information such as toxic constituents and tax-paid stamps. The appearance of all tobacco packs is standardised, including the colour of the pack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoking in Greece</span> Overview of smoking in Greece

Smoking in Greece was at the highest rate of tobacco consumption in the European Union in 2010. In 2014, Greece had the highest rate of smoking in the European Union. According to a survey published by the European Commission Day for World No Tobacco Day in 2017, 37% of Greeks are smokers and only 44% of Greeks have never smoked a cigarette, the smallest percentage in the EU. After Greece, France and Bulgaria have the next largest number of smokers with 36%. At 7%, Sweden had the lowest rate.

Smoking in Tokelau is prevalent, with ethnic Tokelauans having the highest smoking prevalence of all Pacific ethnicities. In the 2011 Tokelau Census, 47.8% of people aged over 15 were found to be regular cigarette smokers.

The Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act, also known as the Smokefree Workplace Law, is a measure passed in 1981 by the US State of Oregon prohibiting smoking in public indoor places except in certain designated smoking areas. The objective is to protect non-smokers in confined areas from second-hand smoke. Beginning on January 1, 2016, the law was extended to cover "inhalant delivery systems" such as e-cigarettes.

The Smokefree Coalition was established as a national organisation in New Zealand in 1995 to advocate for tobacco control interventions by government and non-government organisations (NGOs). Its founding organisations were the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, Action on Smoking and Health, Te Hotu Manawa Māori and the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand. It ceased operation on 30 June 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act 2022 is an act of the New Zealand Parliament that seeks to combat smoking by limiting the number of retailers allowed to sell smoked tobacco products; ban the sale of smoked tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009; and to discourage the consumption of smoked tobacco products. The bill passed its third reading on 13 December 2022 and received royal assent on 16 December 2022. The new National-led coalition government announced in late November 2023 that they intended to repeal the legislation.

References

  1. ↑ Mao, Frances (27 November 2023). "New Zealand smoking ban: Health experts criticise new government's shock reversal". BBC News.
  2. ↑ "Alcohol and Tobacco Available for Consumption: Year ended December 2007" (PDF). Statistics New Zealand. 22 February 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  3. ↑ Department of Conservation
  4. ↑ "Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 No 108 (as at 04 April 2016), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation". legislation.govt.nz.
  5. ↑ "Smokefree law". moh.govt.nz.
  6. ↑ R Edwards; G Thomson; N Wilson; et al. (February 2008). "After the smoke has cleared: evaluation of the impact of a new national smoke-free law in New Zealand". Tobacco Control . 17 (1): e2. doi:10.1136/TC.2007.020347. ISSN   0964-4563. PMID   18218788. Wikidata   Q57115825.
  7. ↑ "Plain packets to follow tobacco display ban". 3 News NZ. 23 July 2012.
  8. ↑ National Drug Policy 2007–2012. Wellington: Ministry of Health. March 2007. ISBN   978-0-478-30751-1.
  9. ↑ "New Zealand passes world-first tobacco law to ban smoking for next generation". the Guardian. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  10. ↑ "New Zealand passes legislation banning cigarettes for future generations". BBC News. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  11. ↑ Witton, Bridie (9 December 2021). "Government to ban tobacco sales to young people for their lifetime in first-ever 'smokefree generation'". Stuff . Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  12. ↑ Bruno, Gus (9 December 2021). "New Zealand's government announces bold new Smokefree 2025 Action Plan to BAN young people smoking across the country". Seven News . Seven Network. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  13. ↑ "New Zealand passes legislation banning cigarettes for future generations". BBC News . 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  14. ↑ "Smokefree amendment bill passes third reading in Parliament". Radio New Zealand . 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  15. ↑ Mao, Frances (27 November 2023). "New Zealand smoking ban: Health experts criticise new government's shock reversal". BBC News . Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  16. ↑ Howie, Cherie (26 November 2023). "Politics: Planned coalition changes to smoking, vaping laws under fire". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "ASH – Action on Smoking and Health New Zealand". ash.org.nz. Archived from the original on 10 June 2009.
  18. ↑ "ASH backing tobacco display ban". 3 News NZ. 23 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "ACT on side of working class over fags tax rise". The Press . 31 May 2016. p. A2.
  20. ↑ "Wellington councillors divided over fines for dropping cigarette butts". NZ Herald. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  21. ↑ Morton, Jamie (3 September 2019). "Clean, green NZ? Litterbugs and loads of rubbish tarnish image". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  22. ↑ Patel, Vimal; Thomson, George W (January 2013). "Cigarette butt littering in city streets: a new methodology for studying and results". Tobacco Control. BMJ. 22 (1): 60. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050529. JSTOR   43289299. PMID   22821749. S2CID   28270886 – via JSTOR.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.