Key findings from the 2009 New Zealand ... - Ministry of Health

Chapter 1: Introduction
This report provides an overview of tobacco use in New Zealand, predominantly for the
year 2009. It includes findings from the 2009 New Zealand Tobacco Use Survey
(NZTUS) and other relevant sources of data.
There have been three comprehensive national tobacco use surveys conducted in New
Zealand: in 2006, 2008 and 2009. The New Zealand Tobacco Use Surveys are part of
the New Zealand Health Monitor, an integrated programme of household surveys and
cohort studies managed by the Health and Disability Intelligence Unit of the Ministry of
Health (Ministry of Health 2005).
The 2009 NZTUS was carried out from January to May 2009. All New Zealanders aged
15–64 years who were usually resident in permanent, private dwellings at the time of
the survey were eligible for selection in the 2009 NZTUS.
The report uses sources beyond the NZTUS to present the prevalence of daily smoking
among New Zealanders over time, the supply of tobacco in New Zealand and tobaccoattributable
mortality. Findings from the 2009 NZTUS on current smoking, tobacco
consumption, quitting behaviour (including history of quit attempts and use of quitting
programmes/services), support from health services and health professionals, and
exposure to second-hand smoke are also presented. Where data allow, results are
presented by sex, age group, ethnic group and neighbourhood deprivation. Where
possible, findings from the 2009 NZTUS are compared with earlier Tobacco Use
Surveys (2006 NZTUS and 2008 NZTUS) and the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey.
The information contained within this report will help in the evaluation of one of the six
2010/11 Health Targets: ‘Better help for smokers to quit’. The report will be of interest
to anyone involved in tobacco control research or policy, or the provision of quitting
products or services.
Tobacco Use in New Zealand 1