Tobacco smoking is a major public health problem in New Zealand.
About 18 percent of the Waikato population smoke tobacco (2013 Census data). Smokefree/Auahi Kore is about youth, whānau and communities living a smokefree life.
By choosing to be smokefree, supporting people to quit, and creating smokefree events, parks and sports grounds, together we can achieve the vision of a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025.
Tobacco Facts. Did you know?
This Tobacco Control Strategy sets out Public Health's three-year response to the aspirational goal of a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025.
Tobacco Control Strategy Public Health Unit 2015-2018
- Chapter 1: Setting the Scene
- Chapter 2: Who's Smoking?
- Chapter 3: Harm Caused by Smoking for the Waikato DHB
- Chapter 4: Public Health: Service Response
- Chapter 5: Opportunities for Delivery
- Chapter 6: Interventions: What is working?
- Chapter 7: Appendix
World Smokefree Day
Internationally, World Smokefree Day is known as World No Tobacco Day, and is celebrated annually on 31 May.
World Smokefree Day is celebrated and delivered at a local level through the theme being applied to current initiatives and priorities. Regional teams provide a collaborative approach and touchpoints for anyone wanting to get involved.
The objectives of World Smokefree Day in New Zealand are:
- Raising awareness and contributing to the achievement of the Smokefree 2025 goal
- Enabling better collaboration, planning and coordination of work within regions and across the country.
- Raising awareness of the Smokefree kaupapa with the underlying objectives of reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and increasing quit attempts.
- Enabling continuity and consistency of messaging and creative within regions and across the country.
- Building on and complementing current work in tobacco control.
If you have any questions about World Smokefree Day, email: info@worldsmokefreeday.org.nz
Smokefree 2025
New Zealand is committed to a goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025. This will mean:
- our children and grandchildren will be free from tobacco and enjoy tobacco-free lives
- almost no-one will smoke (less than 5% of the population will be current smokers)
- it will be very difficult to sell or supply tobacco.
Through simple steps, with whānau, school, community and organisations, we can make this Smokefree 2025 a reality.
Have smokefree events, smokefree cars, ask whānau to not smoke around the kids, talk to kids about being smokefree - even if you are a smoker it still helps. And we need to encourage and support more people to quit.
- Find out more on the Smokefree 2025 website.
For information about national campaigns to stop smoking, check out the Health Promotion Agency website's section on Tobacco control here. This includes
- the current advertising campaign aimed at youth "Stop Before You Start"
- Beginner's Guide to Tobacco Control
- links to other websites and resources
Smoking cessation services available to all people who smoke:
- Cessation support services within the Waikato area
- Quitline - 0800 778 778
Great tips for making your car and home smokefree
It is easy to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke for your family and whanau.
Here are some tips:
- Make a rule - your car and home are smokefree at all times for everyone.
- Ask your family and whānau to support you by not smoking in your car or home.
- Remove ashtrays in your home.
- Remove lighters.
- Be a positive role model and don't smoke around children (and ask your friends to do the same). This means children are less likely to grow up to be smokers themselves.
Children often do not have the choice to move away from smoke and are more vulnerable to its effects.
Information for health professionals - click here
Information for Waikato DHB staff - click here