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Smoking Facts

Smoking in New Zealand

Approximately 597,000 smokers over the age of 15* smoke in New Zealand. This equates to approximately 23% of the population. Smoking is attributed to between 4,300-4,700 deaths each year within New Zealand**.

Some of the diseases and conditions attributed to smoking include;

  • Cancer: Bladder, oesophageal, kidney, laryngeal, leukaemia, lung, oral, pancreatic
  • Cardiovascular: Coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, aneurysm, stroke, Abdominal aortic
  • Respiratory: COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), pneumonia, asthma 
  • Reproductive: Infertility, foetal death, stillbirth, low birth weight
  • Other: Cataracts, hip fracture, peptic ulcer

Quitting

For most people, some benefits can begin the first day, and many others may continue over the years. Here are a few of the benefits that have been found for most people when they quit smoking:

Quitting

Adapted from: McEwen et al. Manual for smoking cessation, 2006 Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK

*2006 Census   
**2006 Tobacco facts

CHAMPIX™ (varenicline tartrate) is a prescription medicine used to help adults 18 and over stop smoking. It can help to reduce the satisfaction you may get from smoking and the craving and withdrawal symptoms that happen while you give up smoking. It is a medicine that you need to pay for and normal doctor’s fees apply. Do not take this medicine if you are under 18 or have an allergy to the active or other tablet ingredients. Tell your doctor if you have ever had depression or other mental health problems, have kidney problems or get kidney dialysis, have a history of repeated fits or convulsions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or, if you are breastfeeding. Some people have had changes in behaviour, mood or thinking including anxiety, psychosis, mood swings, depressed mood, agitation, aggression, hearing or sensing things that are not there, self-harm, thoughts of self-harm or harming others while they use CHAMPIX. If you or your family notice changes in your behaviour or mood that are not typical for you, stop taking CHAMPIX immediately and contact a health care professional. Some people can have allergic reactions to CHAMPIX. Some of these reactions can be life threatening and include swelling of the face, mouth and throat that can cause trouble breathing. Some people can have serious skin reactions while taking CHAMPIX. These include rash, swelling and redness of the skin that can become life threatening. Possible side effects with CHAMPIX include new or worse mental health problems, swelling or redness on parts of the face and body, nausea, headache, difficulty in sleeping, abnormal dreams, dizziness, constipation, flatulence, dry mouth and changes in taste. If you have side effects see your doctor. Always read the label and use strictly as directed. Contains varenicline 0.5mg & 1mg. Further medicine details available from your doctor or www.medsafe.govt.nz. Pfizer New Zealand LTD, Auckland.0800 736 363.