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Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in New Zealand

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  2. Global Smoking and Tobacco Harm Reduction Database
  3. Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in New Zealand
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New Zealand Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
New Zealand Background
Profile
New Zealand Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT

8.3% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 444,279 current smokers in New Zealand

Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2025-03-04

Smoking in New Zealand

In New Zealand there has been a continued decline in current smoking prevalence in the past two decades. Smoking prevalence declined from 20.1% in 2006/07 to 15.7% in 2016/2017, with a further drop to 10.9% in 2021. For men, current smoking prevalence has reduced steadily over this period, from 21% in 2006/7 to 17% in 2016/17, and down further to 14.1% in 2020. For women, current smoking prevalence has decreased from 19% in 2006/7 to 14% in 2016/17, declining further to 11.3% in 2020.

3,580

Deaths

3580 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in New Zealand.

12.7 million €

Market size of NRT.

NRT market size is estimated to be 12.7 million €.

Details & datasheet on smoking in New Zealand

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in New Zealand

The sale of nicotine containing e-liquids was banned until May 2018, but these laws were rarely enforced. A court decision on 9th May 2018 made any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, legal to import, buy & sell - subject to tobacco rules. The court case Philip Morris v Ministry of Health found all tobacco products - except chewing and dissolving types - could be lawfully sold under the Smoke-free Environments Act (1990). The ban on smoking in indoor workplaces, early childhood centres and schools currently only applies to smoking, however individual organisations can ban the use of e-cigarettes as part of their own smoke-free policies. A proposal by the Ministry of Health has been made that states that vaping, and the use of other smokeless tobacco products, will be prohibited in vehicles when children are present. This will be achieved through the Smoke-free Environments (Vaping) Amendment Bill, which will progress through Parliament later in 2019. The Bill will propose to prohibit vaping and the use of smokeless tobacco products in all legislated smoke-free areas. E-cigarettes cannot be sold to minors under 18, and must comply with rules on health information and warnings. There are restrictions on sales via vending machines, and packaging must comply with rules on packaging for tobacco products. There are also restrictions on advertising, promotion and sponsorship. The Ministry of Health now plans to consider how best to apply risk-proportionate regulation to all tobacco and vaping products.

Details & datasheet on vaping in New Zealand

Heated Tobacco Products

in New Zealand

In 2018, a New Zealand District Court decision permitted the sale of heated tobacco products under the 1990 Smoke-free Environments Act. The case was Philip Morris International (the makers of IQOS) vs. New Zealand's Ministry of Health. The law regulating heated tobacco products states they should not be sold or advertised to minors (under 18 years). The New Zealand Ministry of Health has stated that it plans to develop a risk-proportionate regulatory framework for products covered by the 1990 Smoke-free Environments Act, which includes heated tobacco products.

Details & datasheet on HTP in New Zealand

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in New Zealand

Estimated NRT market size is 12.7 million €.

Details & datasheet on NRT in New Zealand

Snus

in New Zealand

Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.

Details & datasheet on snus in New Zealand

Pouches

in New Zealand

Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper

Details & datasheet on pouches in New Zealand

Top Stories from New Zealand

July 08, 2025 by theconversation.com

Story

Quitting the quit-aid: people trying to stop vaping nicotine need more support – here are some strategies to help

New Zealand promotes vaping to aid smoking cessation, with a study revealing challenges faced …

Regions: Oceania New Zealand

April 24, 2025 by blogspot.com

Story

New Zealand Researcher Claims that Using E-Cigarettes Coats the Lungs With Oil

An electronic cigarette researcher from Auckland University's Bio Engineering Institute is telling the public …

Regions: Oceania New Zealand

April 23, 2025 by rnz.co.nz

Story

Four sentenced for smuggling tobacco, on-selling cigarettes from Gisborne restaurant

Four individuals involved in an illegal tobacco importing scheme in Gisborne were sentenced. Two …

Regions: Oceania New Zealand

April 14, 2025 by phcc.org.nz

Story

What will the Government’s free vape starter kit programme achieve?

The Government aims for Smokefree 2025 but free vape kits may only help fewer …

Regions: Oceania New Zealand

April 11, 2025 by filtermag.org

Story

Smear Tactics Against THR Advocates Reflected in NZ Media Ruling

Tobacco harm reduction advocates face misinformation and smears, as shown by the recent conflict …

Regions: Oceania New Zealand

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The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.
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