Introduction
The New Zealand government’s recent decision to reverse the nation’s pioneering smoking ban has sparked considerable controversy. This move, aimed at funding tax cuts, involves rescinding legislation that would have prohibited cigarette sales to individuals born after 2008.
Health experts have strongly criticised this reversal. They argue that it represents a significant step backward in public health initiatives, particularly impacting vulnerable populations like Māori communities, where smoking rates and related health problems are notably high. The original Smokefree legislation included strategies like limiting tobacco retailers and reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes, and was expected to save thousands of lives annually.
The government’s decision has been met with opposition from various sectors, including health professionals and advocacy groups, citing concerns over public health and the contradiction of the nation’s goal to significantly reduce smoking rates by 2025. Business groups, particularly small store owners, had previously expressed concerns about the original policy’s impact on revenue, despite government subsidies.
This policy change has raised a heated debate about the balance between public health concerns and economic considerations, particularly the potential impacts on vulnerable populations and the long-term health of the nation. Critics emphasise the financial and societal benefits of the original legislation, including savings in healthcare costs and improved overall well-being.
Key Facts: Government Deficits, Inflation, and Static Tax Brackets
With any large issue, numerous factors have to be taken into account with great nuance.
Due largely to the unprecedented CoViD-19 pandemic New Zealand had 4 solid years of net operating deficits (source Stats NZ).
This issue is exacerbated greatly by recent high rates of inflation resulting in compounded inflation rate over the last 3 years (September years) of 19% (source Stats NZ). This means $119 currently can only buy $100 worth just 3 years ago.
These are in addition to our tax rates having been at the same rate since 2010 (with greater than $180,000 taxed at even higher rates) effectively resulting in increased taxes every year.
Key Facts: Smoking Statistics
In New Zealand, smoking rates have been continuously decreasing. The latest statistics from the 2022/23 New Zealand Health Survey show that the rate of daily smoking in the adult population (aged 15 years and over) was 6.8%, a decline from 8.6% in the previous year and significantly down from 16.4% in 2011/12.
Some key points from the 2022/23 survey include:
- The 55-64 year age group had the highest smoking rate at 9.7%.
- There has been a decline in daily smoking across all ethnic groups since 2021/22, with rates for Māori decreasing from 37.7% to 17.1%, Pacific peoples from 22.6% to 6.4%, Europeans/others from 14.7% to 6.1%, and Asians from 7.9% to 3.3%.
- Adults living in the most deprived neighbourhoods were 3.5 times more likely to be smokers compared to those in the least deprived neighbourhoods.
- 16.2% of smokers quit in the 12 months prior to the survey.
- Daily smoking rates for Māori adults were 17.1%, and for Pacific adults, they were 6.4%.
The data also showed that among Year 10 students (14 and 15 year olds), daily smoking rates remain low at 1.2% in 2023, a significant decrease from 15.2% in 2000. The highest regular smoking was observed in Māori students at 6.2%, followed by Pacific (3.7%), European/Pākehā (2.0%), and Asian (1.0%) students.
These statistics demonstrate New Zealand’s progress towards reducing smoking prevalence and highlight the continued efforts to address smoking, especially among vulnerable groups such as Māori and Pacific peoples.
Sources: smokefree.co.nz and health.govt.nz (detailed references below)
Key Facts: Economics
The economic impact of smoking in New Zealand is substantial. In terms of financial costs, smoking and tobacco use in New Zealand incur an annual economic cost of approximately 4.06 billion New Zealand dollars. This figure includes direct costs related to healthcare expenditures and indirect costs stemming from lost productivity due to illness and premature death.
In addition to the direct economic burden, the societal impacts of smoking are significant. The tobacco industry’s influence on public health policy has been a contentious issue. There’s a strong emphasis on prioritising the health of New Zealanders, especially children, Māori, and future generations, over the interests of tobacco companies. This stance is backed by numerous organisations worldwide, advocating for policies that put public health above corporate profit, especially in the context of smoking and tobacco use.
These statistics and viewpoints highlight the complex interplay between economic factors, public health, and policy decisions in the context of smoking in New Zealand.
Sources: Tobacco Atlas and the University of Queensland (detailed references below)
Key Facts: Health
The health risks associated with smoking are extensively documented and supported by numerous health organisations. Here’s a summary of the key points, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Cancer Society:
Cancer Risks: Smoking is a primary cause of lung cancer, accounting for about 80% of lung cancer cases and deaths in the United States. Smokers have a 15-30 times higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Smoking also increases the risk for various other cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, cervix, colon, and rectum, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.
Heart Disease and Stroke: Smoking significantly raises the risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke, with smokers being 2-4 times more likely to suffer from these conditions than non-smokers.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Smoking is a leading factor in the development of COPD, with smokers facing a 12 to 13 times higher risk of dying from COPD than non-smokers.
Respiratory Infections: Smokers are at an increased risk of respiratory diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Other Health Risks: Smoking can compromise immune function, increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 30–40%, and is associated with rheumatoid arthritis and eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. It also affects reproductive health in both men and women.
Prevalence and Incidence: Globally, smoking prevalence is significant, with about 1.3 billion people being smokers. The incidence of smoking-related diseases varies based on geographic, demographic, and lifestyle factors.
Mortality: Tobacco use is responsible for over 7 million deaths per year worldwide. Smokers, on average, have a life expectancy that is at least 10 years shorter than non-smokers.
Effects of Second-hand Smoke: Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer in non-smokers. It is particularly harmful to children, increasing the risk of SIDS, respiratory infections, ear problems, and asthma.
These risks underscore the importance of smoking cessation and comprehensive tobacco control policies.
Key Facts: Lobbying
In New Zealand, there is evidence of a relationship between tobacco lobbyists and government.
Tobacco companies in New Zealand, such as Philip Morris, British American Tobacco, and Imperial Tobacco, have been known to use various lobbying strategies, particularly in debates over policies like plain packaging.
These strategies include legal threats, citing trade agreements and intellectual property rights. The legal challenges similar to those faced by Australia, which introduced plain tobacco packaging, have been considered to have slim chances of success. However, they represent a consistent effort by the tobacco industry to influence government policies and delay or weaken tobacco control measures.
There is currently no public lobbying register in New Zealand, nor are there ‘cool off’ periods mandated for individuals moving between government and lobbying roles. This lack of transparency in the lobbying activities, especially those concerning the tobacco industry, has raised concerns about the potential influence on public policy. In the past, the National Party in New Zealand has faced scrutiny due to candidates with links to the tobacco industry, reflecting wider concerns about the influence of commercial companies on government.
A study found that a significant portion of people involved in tobacco lobbying had held positions in Australian governments either before or after working for the tobacco industry. This “revolving door” phenomenon, where individuals move between roles in government and the tobacco industry, is a key mechanism for influencing public health policy. The study highlighted the need for stronger rules and legislation around lobbying to prevent industry influence on policies like tobacco control and vaping.
The information highlights the ongoing debate and concerns regarding the influence of tobacco lobbyists in New Zealand’s political landscape and the need for greater transparency and regulation in this area.
Sources referenced down below
Final Message
You can decide whether this was the correct move by the current government.
References:
- Government finance statistics (general government): Year ended June 2023 | Stats NZ [Internet]. Available from: https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/government-finance-statistics-general-government-year-ended-june-2023/
- Consumers price index (CPI) | Stats NZ [Internet]. Available from: https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/consumers-price-index-cpi/
- Facts & figures | Smokefree [Internet]. Available from: https://www.smokefree.org.nz/smoking-its-effects/facts-figures
- New Zealand’s smoking rates continue to decline [Internet]. Ministry of Health NZ. Available from: https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/news-items/new-zealands-smoking-rates-continue-decline
- New Zealand | Tobacco Atlas [Internet]. Tobacco Atlas. Available from: https://tobaccoatlas.org/factsheets/new-zealand/
- Joint op-ed: 139 organizations call on New Zealand to prioritize human life over tobacco industry profit [Internet]. Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame – University of Queensland. 2023. Available from: https://tobacco-endgame.centre.uq.edu.au/article/2023/12/joint-op-ed-139-organizations-call-new-zealand-prioritize-human-life-over-tobacco-industry-profit
- Health effects of cigarette smoking [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm
- Health risks of smoking tobacco [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/health-risks-of-tobacco/health-risks-of-smoking-tobacco.html
- Evening report [Internet]. 2023. Available from: https://eveningreport.nz/2023/05/11/we-worked-out-how-many-tobacco-lobbyists-end-up-in-government-and-vice-versa-its-a-lot-205382
- Smoke signals: Lobbying at work. RNZ [Internet]. 2014 Jun 17; Available from: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/371611/smoke-signals-lobbying-at-work
- Rawhiti-Connell A. Is it time for more transparency on lobbyists? The Spinoff [Internet]. 2023 Mar 20; Available from: https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/21-03-2023/is-it-time-for-more-transparency-on-lobbyists
- Tobacco lobbyists stand for National seats. NZ Herald [Internet]. 2020 Sep 15; Available from: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tobacco-lobbyists-stand-for-national-seats/DKVPIFNF7H3BUDCAXF4SGU6QZE/
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