smokefree2025

We urgently call on the Government to stop the repeal of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act.

We implore that they stop prioritising profit over our people and demand full implementation of the Smokefree Legislation as it stands, with Māori leadership as one of its top recommendations for action.

We expect that the three measures introduced in 2022 are carried out in their entirety, including the:

National Māori Public Health organisation, Hāpai Te Hauora welcomes the implementation of a Smokefree Generation policy. Interim CEO Jason Alexandar of Hāpai Te Hauora says, ‘The world is looking to Aotearoa as we implement world leading Smokefree legislation.

As World Smokefree May draws to a close, Māori Public Health experts, Hāpai Te Hauora urge the government to maintain its Auahi Kore priority over the next two years. Hāpai Te Hauora acknowledges World Smokefree Day with Aotearoa taking significant strides towards a smokefree future, but there is much more to do.

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act took effect on January 1, 2023. This includes the introduction of regulations which will reduce the availability, appeal and addictiveness of tobacco products.

Celebrating steps towards Smokefree 2025 is how leading Māori public health agency, Hāpai Te Hauora, is greeting the passing of the new Smokefree legislation.

Hāpai Te Hauora are pleased to see the recommendations in the Health Select Committee report on the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill released this week.

A small community group in Whakatane have dedicated themselves to a 6-week Hauora challenge with the driving kaupapa behind the challenge being to support each other through the various stages of their quit smoking journey. Throughout the programme this group have connected with organisations within their community to deliver nutritional, and physical education to provide them with the tools to enhance their wellbeing and the wellbeing of their friends and whānau.

Rotorua Smokefree Partners (RSFP) was activated in April this year to reduce smoking harm in the region. The primary objective of the group is to collaborate on community issues and develop strategies to address these concerns. Over the past six months, the group has gathered insights and lived realities through a community survey and through community feedback during Smokefree Month events in May.

Te Whare Tū Taua o Whakatū (Nelson based mau rakau rōpū) were in wānanga over the weekend of the 16th to 18th of September on the kaupapa of Hauora. Auahi Kore/Smokefree was at the forefront of this wānanga where the rōpū shared their whānau smoking experiences and what they have come to learn from this. 

The day was about empowering whānau on their smokefree journey which was supported by the attendance of Te Piki Oranga and their smokefree practitioners.