Tobacco Control and Advocacy

Te Kura Manawa Taki refers to the rhythm of our breath, affirming our fundamental right to fresh air provided by Tāne, reaching back to Hine Ahuone. Tīhei Mauri Ora!

Our work in tobacco control is our commitment to Te Kura Manawa Taki and to supporting and creating environments where our whānau and mokopuna have access to quality air.

Tobacco control is not just a health imperative, but a moral and societal responsibility. By working towards a Smokefree future, we address critical health disparities, protect mokopuna, and enhance the overall quality of life within our communities. The collective efforts of individuals, communities, and the sector are pivotal in making this vision a reality. For far too long, tobacco has inflicted harm on hapori.

Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable illness and death globally, with far-reaching impacts on individual health, community wellbeing, and healthcare systems. Tobacco use contributes to serious health conditions including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness, and it exacerbates health inequities, disproportionately affecting Māori communities and resulting in widespread, avoidable harm.

What Hāpai is doing in this space

Our National Tobacco Control Service works alongside communities, key influencers, and sector partners to build shared ownership and sustain progress towards a Smokefree Aotearoa.

Through our mahi, we:

• Support communities to design and deliver their own Smokefree health promotion and awareness initiatives
• Build understanding of the physical, financial, and emotional harms of tobacco use, and its impact on mokopuna
• Coordinate regional and national responses to legislation that risks deepening existing inequities for Māori
• Support communities to participate in submission and advocacy processes, amplifying lived experience and voice
• Strengthen Māori and Pacific Smokefree networks to mobilise collectively for greater impact
• Support the wider sector through initiatives such as World Smokefree May
• Work alongside policy and decision-makers to advocate for Māori- and Pacific-led approaches and solutions