What age group smokes most? You may be surprised

Middle-aged Kiwis are some of Aotearoa’s heaviest smokers with some of the lowest quit rates, smokefree advocates say.

More than two-thirds of smokers were aged over 35, and many were likely long-term, dependent smokers, Action for Smokefree 2025 director Ben Youdan said.

‘‘This is the generation facing smoking-related illness in the next 10 to 15 years.’’

Youdan said that while New Zealand had been ‘‘incredibly successful’’ preventing youth smoking, the median age of smokers had risen from 25 to 35.

The 2021-22 New Zealand Health Survey, released late last year, showed that about 331,000 Kiwis (8%) still smoke. This was down from 9.4% the previous year, and 16.4% in 2011-12.

Youdan said that with Smokefree 2025 two years away, ‘‘we need to support the remaining smokers, who are at most risk from smoking-related death and disease’’ to quit, more than ever.

Yesterday marked World Smokefree Day, known overseas as World No Tobacco Day.

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act, which came into force on January 1, made three key legislative changes.

From July 1, 2024, the number of retailers able to sell smoked tobacco products will decrease. From April 1, 2025, the amount of nicotine allowed in smoked tobacco products will reduce.

And from January 1, 2027, it will be illegal to sell smoked tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

Hāpai te Hauora said that while the new legislation was a step forward, the Smokefree 2025 goal of fewer than 5% of people smoking was ‘‘far from complete’’.

While progress had been made in reducing smoking rates, vulnerable communities continued to bear the brunt of tobacco-related harm, it said.

Data shows that smoking rates have declined for all ethnic groups except Pacific people, and that large ethnicity and socioeconomic status inequities remain.