Smokefree Bill Update: Key Developments and Challenges

The Smokefree Bill, a cornerstone of New Zealand’s public health strategy, took an important step forward yesterday with Minister Costello submitting it for its third reading in the House. However, the session was interrupted by a member's maiden speech, and the reading will continue when the House reconvenes on Tuesday, 10 December, at 2 PM.

Here’s what you need to know in the meantime:

Minister Costello’s Comments and Legislative Progress

Minister Costello highlighted the urgency of advancing the Smokefree Bill to achieve the government’s Smokefree 2025 objectives. The Bill reflects a comprehensive approach to reducing tobacco harm, particularly in communities most affected by smoking-related disparities.

For those interested, you can watch yesterday’s session here and review a summary of Minister Costello's remarks as well as Ingrid Leary’s speech in the attached documents.

NZ Health Survey: Smoking Rates Raise Concerns

Recent commentary from the Public Health and Community Coalition (PHCC) has shed light on worrying trends in New Zealand's smoking rates, based on the latest NZ Health Survey results:

1. Overall Smoking Rates:

   • Daily smoking rates have plateaued at 6.9% in 2023/24, slightly up from 6.8% in 2022/23.
   • This stagnation raises concerns about New Zealand’s ability to meet its Smokefree 2025 targets.

2. Pasifika Smoking Rates:

   • After a significant drop to 6.1% in 2022/23, rates have surged to 12.3% in 2023/24.
   • This sharp increase highlights the need for targeted interventions within Pasifika communities.

3. Impact on Deprived Neighbourhoods:

   • Smoking rates in the most deprived areas have risen from 10.7% in 2022/23 to 13.9% in 2023/24.
   • A stark 5-fold gap remains between the least and most deprived neighbourhoods, underscoring persistent inequalities in tobacco harm.

4. Men’s Smoking Rates:

   • Daily smoking among men increased from 7.2% in 2022/23 to 8.1% in 2023/24.
   • While the PHCC notes this is based on a single survey, the data calls for closer monitoring.

What Needs to Be Done?

The data reveals significant challenges in reducing smoking rates across specific demographics and regions:

• Targeted Support: Enhanced outreach and culturally relevant support for Pasifika communities and deprived neighbourhoods.
• Sustained Focus: Continued investment in cessation programmes tailored to groups experiencing rising smoking rates, including men.
• Equity in Tobacco Harm Reduction: Addressing the socio-economic disparities that perpetuate higher smoking rates in deprived communities.

Next Steps

The Smokefree Bill is poised for further discussion in the House on 10 December, with an expectation that its measures will contribute to reversing the upward trends in smoking prevalence. As developments unfold, we’ll provide additional updates to keep you informed.

For a deeper dive into the PHCC’s analysis of the NZ Health Survey results, you can read the full commentary here.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Smokefree Bill and New Zealand’s journey towards a healthier, tobacco-free future.