The rise and fall of smoking in New Zealand

The prevalence of cigarette smoking in New Zealand has fallen over the past 20 years to 27% in both men and women. Rates remain high in women aged 15-24 years (33%) and in the Maori population (52% of men and women over 15 years). Tobacco consumption has fallen by 46% since 1975 and New Zealand now has the second lowest consumption of all OECD countries. Coincident with the reduction in smoking, there has been a 37% decline in age-standardised coronary heart disease mortality rates in men and 34% in women between 1968 and 1989. Since 1976 the incidence of lung cancer in men has fallen by 25% but increased by 38% in women. The decline was highest in non-Maori men aged 45-54 years (46%). Life expectancy has increased by four years in both men and women since 1970. New Zealand legislation against smoking was introduced in 1903 and culminated in the 1990 Smoke-free Environments Act. This provides for smoke-free environments, prohibition of tobacco advertising, restrictions on tobacco sponsorship, and the establishment of a Health Sponsorship Council.