Tobacco still a ticking time bomb for Māori and Pacific

Tobacco still a ticking time bomb for Māori and Pacific

Newly-released statistics show Māori and Pacific smoking rates have fallen considerably in New Zealand, but national tobacco control services say there is still plenty of work to do.

Māori regular smoking rates dropped by about 10% (from 42.2% to 32.7%) between 2006 and 2013 and Pacific regular smokers dropped by 7% (from 30.3% to 23.2%) in the same period, according to data provided by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

The data was collected during the 2013 Census but ASH has since analysed the figures and provided a breakdown of Māori and Pacific smoking rates according to District Health Boards (DHBs) regions.

Zoe Hawke, Kaiwhakahaere (manager) of Te Ara Hā Ora, the National Māori Tobacco Control Leadership Service, said the statistics are a reminder of how far Aotearoa has come with its smoking status.

“Although regular Māori smoking rates have dropped to 32.7%, that’s still more than double the New Zealand non-Māori rate of 15%. There would be massive health benefits for Māori if tobacco was totally taken out of the equation,” Hawke said.

She congratulated those regions which have come in below the national Māori average and welcomed the opportunity to support others which are serious about dealing to tobacco harm.

“We need to pick up the momentum and continue the fight others started. We all need to stand up as a collective against tobacco. Tobacco is not for our whānau, not for our tamariki, it wasn’t our history and it will not be our future.”

Edward Cowley, Programme Manager of Tala Pasifika (National Pacific Tobacco Control Service), also applauded the work that has been going on in the regions.

“We are all working hard to reduce the number of smokers in all regions, but it’s just not enough. We need to be doing a lot more. No one entity can do it on their own. We need to enlist help from all sources - friends, family, community, government agencies and stop-smoking services.”

Cowley said everyone in New Zealand has a part to play in helping others stop smoking, and that the support of friends and whanau is vital once someone makes the decision to quit.

“Smoking doesn’t just affect the smoker, it affects the whole whanau. Pacific peoples’ principles are founded on family. Adults need to show leadership and good role modelling. No one wants their child to become a smoker so let’s start making the change that will lead to a Smokefree Aotearoa for Māori, Pacific and all New Zealanders alike.”

Both Cowley and Hawke said much more needs to be done to reduce Māori and Pacific smoking rates in order to reach the government-supported goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025.

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