SmokeLess New Zealand

www.smokeless.org.nz  info@smokeless.org.nz

Updated January 2008                                                                       Printer friendly version: www.smokeless.org.nz/index.pdf

Making it easier for smokers to quit, and for NZ to end cigarette sales by law

Problem 

·        Cigarette smoking risks are extreme. Yet 653,000 (21% of) adults smoke (2006 Census) - with a 1 in 2 risk of dying early (13 years early on average). www.smokeless.org.nz/cigarettesmokingrisks.htm

·        Smoking is only slowly reducing: – 70 years may be needed to phase out cigarette deaths. http://www.smokeless.org.nz/smokingprojections.htm

People smoke for nicotine, but die from the smoke.

More effective (smokeless) nicotine products can satisfy addicted smokers so they don’t need to smoke.

What smokers say

·        84% wouldn’t smoke if they had life again.

·        72% believe they are addicted to smoking.

·        46% tried to stop smoking in the past 1 year.

·         5% succeeded in stopping smoking in the past year- 2003 tobacco use survey, U. of Auckland

What smokers  may not know

·        Smoking kills, nicotine addicts.

·         Cigarettes are far more dangerous than any other tobacco, due to the inhaled smoke.

·        Low-nitrosamine snuff is 95% less harmful than smoking; nicotine without smoke (the electronic (Nicotine gum, lozenge, patch; and the (nicotine inhaler) cigarette) are safer still.

How SmokeLess aims to ensure smokers can quit smoking with much more success

·        by advocacy for sale and display, of reduced risk, low-cost nicotine and snuff alternatives;

·        by advocacy for reducing cigarette nicotine, reducing addiction to cigarette smoke;

·        by advocacy for taxing, then phasing out, cigarettes sales within 10 years, to protect the next generation. 

 

Achieved in 2006-7

·        Incorporation of SmokeLess NZ, a charitable trust, in March 2006; with tax-exempt status.

·        Launch of website – a key reference site on smoking, statistics & smokers’ risks and options.

·        Policy launch - at U of Auckland symposium Towards a Smokeless New Zealand March 2006, on TV1 and TV3 news; Editorial, NZ Medical Journal, July 2006; meetings with public health groups.

·        Product test. Swedish Match  test-markets nasal snuff through tobacconists, April 2007.

·        Product research on fast-acting nicotine at U. of Auckland:  funded by Heart Foundation

·        Permission to import Swedish snuff given for personal use in any quantity (Customs), or for research (Ministry of Health).

·         Public support for sales ban. 52% of adults want  cigarette sales ended. (TV3 poll May 2006) www.smokeless.org.nz/polls1.htm

·        E-newsletter monthly to the smokefree sector www.smokeless.org.nz/newsitems2007.htm

Service delivery plans

·        Regular surveys of smokers and nonsmokers’ views on smoking, snuff and nicotine.

·        Enhance website to underpin research on nicotine and snuff as stop-smoking aids.

·        Product information for smokers: Example: www.smokeless.org.nz/nasalsnuff.htm www.smokeless.org.nz/ecigarette.htm

·        Funds to cover expenses incurred by the trust.

A law ending cigarette sales can save 4000 lives and $22 billion annually

Dr Murray Laugesen QSO, chair; Prof Ross McCormick, Sir John Scott KBE, Trish Fraser MPH, Trustees.

© SmokeLess New Zealand