The Health Promotion Agency’s (HPA’s) Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) provides insight into New Zealanders’ tobacco-related behaviours and attitudes, including their awareness of the Government’s goal for reducing the smoking prevalence to less than 5% by 2025. In the 2012 HLS, 43% of respondents reported that they were aware of the national goal. The same question was repeated in 2014, and the findings are presented in this factsheet.
Methodology
In 2014, all respondents were asked: "Are you aware that the Government wants New Zealand smoking rates reduced to less than 5% by 2025?" (Yes/ No/ Don’t know), referred to as ‘the goal’ below. Responses were examined by ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation, age, gender and educational background. (See the ‘About the Health and Lifestyles Survey’ section for the relevant comparison groups).
When looking at differences by gender, age, ethnicity, we controlled for smoking status. This means that we have taken into account the respondent’s own smoking status to ensure that any difference found is not in fact due to whether or not they smoke. Only statistically significant (p < .05) differences between groups are reported.
Key Results
• In 2014, half of the respondents were aware of the Smokefree 2025 goal.
• Current smokers (56%) were more likely to be aware of the goal, compared with never smokers (45%).
• Awareness of the goal did not differ by ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation, age, gender or educational background.