Cigarette smoking in New Zealand: Results from the 1976 population census

The 1976 New Zealand Census included information about 2 201 178 persons over 15 years. Thirty-eight percent of men and 31 percent of women smoked cigarettes regularly. The peak age for male smoking is from 45-49 years and in men aged 35 to 39 years more than half (55 percent) smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. In the youngest age group (15 to 19 years) more girls than boys are cigarette smokers. Sixteen percent of the population (353 627) stated that they have given up regular cigarette smoking. Smoking is least prevalent in Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury, while the greatest percentage of smokers are found in the East Coast of the North Island and Southland. Except for Southland, there are significantly more smokers in the younger age groups (16 to 24 years) in the North Island than in the South Island. Cigarette smoking in New Zealand is probably less prevalent than in the past and the figures compare favourably with those of other countries. However, the high levels of smoking among young people, particularly women, is a major health problem.