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New Zealand Smoking Rates Stagnate, Threatening Smokefree 2025

6/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

New Zealand's daily smoking rates have hit a concerning plateau at 6.9%, the first stagnation in ten years. This troubling trend follows the repeal of crucial smokefree laws, threatening the ambitious Smokefree 2025 goal. Healthcare experts are calling for urgent policy reassessment to combat rising smoking rates, especially within Maori communities.

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Story summary

New Zealand's daily smoking rates have hit a concerning plateau at 6.9%, the first stagnation in ten years. This troubling trend follows the repeal of crucial smokefree laws, threatening the ambitious Smokefree 2025 goal. Healthcare experts are calling for urgent policy reassessment to combat rising smoking rates, especially within Maori communities.