Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand, accounting for around 4,300 to 4,600 deaths per year. In addition, tobacco plays a significant role in health inequities within New Zealand. Higher smoking prevalence is seen among low-income groups, and Māori and Pacific.
In March 2011 the Government adopted the goal of reducing smoking prevalence and tobacco accessibility to minimal levels, thereby making New Zealand a ‘smokefree’ nation by 2025.
"Hāpai will be working to bring communities on board, leaders on board, nationally, regionally and locally..."
Our Service
The Hāpai National Tobacco Control Advocacy Service facilitates engagement between a wide range of policy makers, decision makers/influencers that may include, Parliamentary Committees, the Ministry of Health, District Health Boards, NGOs, Primary Health Organisations, corporate decision makers, Media, Stop Smoking Service Providers, Council, Māori and Pacific Providers, iwi, local and national businesses, research and academic institutions, territorial local authorities, Crown agencies and communities to progress Smokefree 2025.
Our Tobacco Control Advocacy service utilises relationships and key influencers to spur increased ownership, and a positive view of Smokefree 2025, it identifies, delivers and promotes effective public health and advocacy interventions that will create and strengthen smokefree policies. Our role is also to increase public and media understanding of what will get us to 2025.
The four key objectives of all Hāpai tobacco control advocacy activities are:
- To reduce smoking initiation
- To increase quitting
- To reduce the social, economic and health harms of tobacco
- To reduce inequalities
The Link - National Tobacco Advocacy Service Resource Page
"The Link"; is your one stop shop for tobacco control resources. Feature areas of interest include: legislation; parliamentary website links; an easy guide on how to write a submission; and finding your Local DHB or Council. "The Link" also features printable and shareable resources for community activation – all here in one place.
Highlights
New review on the impact of tobacco tax
Featuring: Lance Norman
Plain packaging comes into effect
Featuring: Lance Norman
Te Karere TVNZ: 10% tobacco tax now in effect
Featuring: Stephanie Erick
Te Karere TVNZ: Smokers often overlooked in job recruitment - Māori health group
Featuring: Zoe Hawke
The AM Show: Auckland Council to make beaches and al fresco dining areas smoke-free
Featuring: Lance Norman
The Project: Will we reach our smokefree target by 2025?
Featuring: Zoe Hawke
Smokers decreasing, but cost isn't main reason
Featuring: Zoe Hawke
James Bond can dodge bullets, but not second-hand smoke
Featuring: Stephanie Erick
Sally Liggins 
Gerald Lanning 
Dr. Lance O'Sullivan 
Dr. Allan Wyllie 
Louisa Ryan 
Andrew Waa 
Professor Richard Edwards Tobacco Control Update e-newsletter
Hāpai Te Hauora produce a fortnightly e-newsletter containing updates on Tobacco Control locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, to subscribe click the link below.
Our Team
General Manager
Research and Communications Coordinator
Senior Advisor
Kaiwhiriwhiri
ICT Lead