Maori tobacco-control expert speaks

5 November 2005

Maori tobacco-control expert addresses international conference

Director of the Maori Smokefree Coalition Shane Kawenata Bradbrook will be a keynote speaker on Tuesday at Raising the Bar, which is a gathering of tobacco control experts in Hawaii.

"I've been asked to address the conference because of my knowledge of the international impact that the tobacco industry has on indigenous peoples. They are also interested to hear how we are coping with the introduction of our Smokefreee legislation," Shane said today.

Shane is one of three keynote speakers, and is the only international speaker. Apart from addressing the conference Shane will undertake interviews with American media.

Bio

Shane Kawenata Bradbrook

Shane has been the Director of Te Reo Marama for six and a half years. The primary role for the Maori Smokefree Coalition is to lobby tobacco control issues on behalf of Maori at a political and policy level.

Shane is currently on the international boards of the Framework Convention Alliance (Switzerland), and the Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Tobacco Control (Melbourne). He also sits on the Executive Committee of the World Conference on Tobacco and Health.

Shane is recognised as an international expert on indigenous tobacco control issues.

Fact Sheet

Maori and smoking

* Tobacco is the single biggest killer of Maori. It accounts for a third of all Maori deaths.

* This is reflected in higher rates of lung cancer, heart disease, SIDS, respiratory infections, glue ear, meningococcal disease and diabetes.

* 47% of the Maori population smoke. The prevalence rate reduced 5% between 2003 and 2004.

* This means almost one in two Maori smokes, which compares with one in five for Europeans and others, and one in four for Pacific peoples.

* Maori prevalence is especially high in the 20-24 year old age group, with 59.1% of Maori in this age bracket smoking.

* In terms of young people the prevalence of smoking among Maori remains high compared to non-Maori, particularly in females. In 2004 the prevalence of year 10 female Maori who smoked daily was 29.1%, compared to 16.2% for male Maori.

* Maori contribute around $260m in taxation from tobacco use and directly receive about $5-6m per annum for Maori tobacco control efforts.

* It is harder for Maori to quit smoking because they are more likely to live and work in environments where others smoke. The high smoking rate means they are more likely to see smoking as socially acceptable and normal.

* Research shows that intensive programmes run by Maori for Maori are extremely effective. An evaluation of Aukati Kai Paipa in 2000 - a smoking cessation programme designed for Maori women - revealed that Maori cessation programmes achieved a quit rate three times higher than other programmes.

ENDS

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