MEDIA RELEASE, May 31, 2000

Smoking Consumption Falls

Health Minister Annette King said today she is delighted smoking consumption has fallen again in the past year, with New Zealanders smoking less than ever before.

Tobacco Facts 2000, an information sheet produced by the Ministry of Health, shows that tobacco released for consumption in 1999 dropped by five percent compared with 1998, and was almost 60 percent less than the amount of tobacco released for consumption in 1970.

"The reduction in consumption is great news for the health of New Zealanders," Mrs King said. "It is likely to be strongly linked to the tobacco tax increase in 1998 and other initiatives put in place over the last few years to support people wanting to quit smoking."

In May 1998 there was a 50c (GST exclusive) increase in the excise on a packet of 20 cigarettes, with similar increases for other tobacco products. "This change was associated with a six percent drop in total consumption in the nine months after the change. The further tax increase of $1 in May this year is also expected to deliver similar, or better, results," Mrs King said.

"On World Smokefree Day I now urge people to take the next step - to set a date for quitting and to commit to it. Ask your family and friends to support you, or ring the National freephone Quitline, 0800 778 778."

Mrs King said the less happy news was that the overall percentage of smokers remained reasonably static in the 1990s, dropping two percent.

There had been little decline in smoking prevalence for women under 25, she said. In 1999, 33 percent of females aged 15-24 smoked, and 30 percent of males, and about half of Maori adults continued to smoke. "These statistics suggest we need to significantly boost our efforts to encourage smokefree lifestyles in New Zealand and to support people who want to quit."

For more information contact John Harvey, (04) 471 9305. A full copy of the Tobacco Statistics 2000 can be found on the Ministry of Health website http://www.moh.govt.nz

MEDIA RELEASE, May 31, 2000

Hutt Valley Health Smokefree Policy Applauded

Health Minister Annette King today applauded Hutt Valley Health's implementation of its new smokefree policy on World Smokefree Day.

"Hutt Valley Health has fully implemented its smokefree policy, developed in consultation with staff and unions," she said. "This means that from today staff and visitors will not be permitted to smoke in HVH buildings or grounds, except in two nominated areas, and that staff must not smoke off campus when on HVH-related business or when wearing HVH identification."

Mrs King said that in addition to smoking restrictions, Hutt Valley Health was making available to staff free smoking cessation courses, free nicotine

replacement therapy, free acupuncture and hypnotherapy and counselling until the end of December.

"I congratulate Hutt Valley Health on its responsible attitude to discouraging smoking and for setting an example to the community, and strongly urge other employers to do likewise. I am particularly pleased the policy is being implemented fully today to draw more attention to World Smokefree Day."

In other World Smokefree Day events today, Mrs King will late this afternoon meet young people who have been involved in two anti-smoking campaigns.

Students who attended a hui on youth smoking at Piritahi Marae on Waiheke Island on May 4 and 5 will present her with findings from the hui, and two Feilding Agricultural College students, Glenn Thomson and Nick Ferguson, will play her their winning radio commercial from a national World Smokefree Day competition for third and fourth formers.

For more information, please contact John Harvey (04) 471 9305.