This is the unadjusted average (mean) in the specified population.
The average (mean) out of 100 adults in NZ perceived to smoke was
32.8
Time trends
This chart presents unadjusted results; that is the overall prevalence estimate for each survey year. Data points only appear where there is data available.
The comparison between years is only available where the same questions were asked in more than one survey year.
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
Age and sex
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
Ethnicity (total)
Total response ethnicity means that people who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
Source:
Health and Lifestyles Survey
Notes:
Missing bar in chart indicates insufficient sample size.
Mean for selected indicator
Show
Total
Men
Women
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Total
32.8
( 31.7 - 33.8 )
30.5
( 29.1 - 32 )
35.0
( 33.4 - 36.5 )
Age group (years)
16-24
36.8
( 33.3 - 40.3 )
32.8
( 29 - 36.5 )
41.1
( 35.7 - 46.5 )
25-44
33.9
( 31.9 - 35.9 )
33.0
( 30.2 - 35.8 )
35.0
( 32.4 - 37.5 )
45-64
30.9
( 29.4 - 32.5 )
28.2
( 26.3 - 30.2 )
33.4
( 30.9 - 35.9 )
65+
30.5
( 28.7 - 32.2 )
27.7
( 25.3 - 30 )
33.2
( 30.8 - 35.6 )
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
40.2
( 38.3 - 42 )
37.0
( 34.4 - 39.6 )
43.5
( 41 - 46 )
Pacific
46.7
( 43 - 50.4 )
44.4
( 39.7 - 49.1 )
49.2
( 43.9 - 54.4 )
Asian
37.5
( 33.1 - 41.8 )
34.4
( 29.4 - 39.3 )
40.7
( 33.8 - 47.5 )
NZ European / Other
29.4
( 28.3 - 30.4 )
27.7
( 26.2 - 29.1 )
31.1
( 29.8 - 32.4 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
28.5
( 26.3 - 30.8 )
27.0
( 24.5 - 29.5 )
30.1
( 26.2 - 34 )
Mid (4-7)
32.5
( 31.2 - 33.9 )
30.4
( 28.3 - 32.5 )
34.7
( 33 - 36.5 )
Most (8-10)
38.5
( 35.6 - 41.4 )
35.5
( 31.9 - 39.1 )
41.3
( 37.8 - 44.9 )
Total
Men
Women
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Total
38.8
( 37.2 - 40.3 )
37.0
( 34.9 - 39 )
40.6
( 38.6 - 42.6 )
Age group (years)
15-24
47.6
( 42.8 - 52.3 )
44.8
( 38.2 - 51.4 )
50.6
( 44.4 - 56.8 )
25-44
39.2
( 37 - 41.3 )
36.9
( 33.9 - 39.9 )
41.4
( 38.5 - 44.3 )
45-64
36.5
( 34.3 - 38.8 )
34.7
( 31.3 - 38.2 )
38.2
( 35 - 41.3 )
65+
33.4
( 31 - 35.9 )
32.8
( 29.7 - 35.9 )
34.0
( 30.5 - 37.6 )
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
49.7
( 46.1 - 53.4 )
49.4
( 44 - 54.8 )
50.1
( 46.2 - 53.9 )
Pacific
55.8
( 52.7 - 59 )
56.9
( 52.2 - 61.6 )
54.7
( 50.6 - 58.8 )
Asian
45.6
( 40.4 - 50.8 )
43.5
( 37.3 - 49.7 )
47.6
( 40.1 - 55 )
NZ European / Other
34.5
( 32.9 - 36.2 )
32.3
( 30.1 - 34.6 )
36.8
( 34.8 - 38.7 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
32.0
( 29.4 - 34.6 )
30.8
( 26.9 - 34.6 )
33.2
( 30.1 - 36.3 )
Mid (4-7)
37.9
( 35.3 - 40.5 )
35.9
( 32.5 - 39.2 )
39.8
( 36.7 - 42.8 )
Most (8-10)
48.3
( 45.4 - 51.1 )
45.9
( 42.1 - 49.8 )
50.7
( 47.2 - 54.2 )
Total
Men
Women
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Total
36.6
( 35.4 - 37.8 )
34.8
( 33.3 - 36.4 )
38.3
( 36.8 - 39.8 )
Age group (years)
15-24
45.1
( 41.8 - 48.4 )
44.2
( 40.2 - 48.2 )
46.0
( 41.7 - 50.3 )
25-44
38.2
( 36.4 - 40.1 )
36.1
( 33.6 - 38.6 )
40.3
( 38 - 42.6 )
45-64
33.5
( 31.8 - 35.1 )
31.6
( 29.1 - 34.2 )
35.1
( 33 - 37.2 )
65+
30.4
( 28.1 - 32.7 )
28.1
( 24.7 - 31.6 )
32.7
( 30 - 35.4 )
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
47.8
( 45.2 - 50.4 )
44.6
( 40.7 - 48.5 )
50.6
( 47.3 - 53.9 )
Pacific
52.9
( 50.3 - 55.4 )
52.5
( 48.9 - 56.1 )
53.2
( 49.5 - 56.9 )
Asian
44.1
( 40.7 - 47.5 )
44.6
( 39.6 - 49.7 )
43.5
( 39.1 - 47.9 )
NZ European / Other
32.9
( 31.6 - 34.1 )
30.7
( 29 - 32.5 )
34.9
( 33.3 - 36.5 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
29.5
( 28 - 31.1 )
28.3
( 26.3 - 30.3 )
30.7
( 28.2 - 33.1 )
Mid (4-7)
36.8
( 34.9 - 38.7 )
34.9
( 32 - 37.7 )
38.7
( 36.3 - 41 )
Most (8-10)
44.8
( 42.1 - 47.5 )
42.3
( 39.3 - 45.4 )
47.3
( 44.1 - 50.6 )
Total
Men
Women
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Total
37.7
( 36.4 - 39 )
35.0
( 33.2 - 36.8 )
40.4
( 38.7 - 42 )
Age group (years)
15-24
48.0
( 44.3 - 51.7 )
44.5
( 39.2 - 49.8 )
51.6
( 46.7 - 56.5 )
25-44
38.2
( 36.3 - 40.2 )
35.2
( 32.7 - 37.7 )
41.0
( 38.2 - 43.9 )
45-64
34.2
( 31.8 - 36.5 )
31.2
( 27.8 - 34.5 )
37.1
( 34.1 - 40 )
65+
32.4
( 30.3 - 34.5 )
30.8
( 27.6 - 34.1 )
33.9
( 31 - 36.7 )
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
48.7
( 45.8 - 51.5 )
47.8
( 43.6 - 52 )
49.5
( 45.8 - 53.2 )
Pacific
54.5
( 49.9 - 59.1 )
52.4
( 46.7 - 58.2 )
56.6
( 49.9 - 63.2 )
Asian
46.0
( 40.5 - 51.6 )
42.2
( 34.4 - 50 )
49.8
( 43.5 - 56 )
NZ European / Other
33.9
( 32.6 - 35.3 )
31.2
( 29.2 - 33.1 )
36.6
( 34.9 - 38.3 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
31.2
( 28.7 - 33.7 )
28.7
( 25.6 - 31.8 )
33.7
( 30.3 - 37.2 )
Mid (4-7)
37.3
( 35.2 - 39.5 )
34.8
( 31.9 - 37.7 )
39.9
( 37.2 - 42.5 )
Most (8-10)
47.1
( 44.7 - 49.5 )
44.7
( 41 - 48.4 )
49.1
( 46.5 - 51.8 )
Total
Men
Women
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Total
37.1
( 35.7 - 38.4 )
35.2
( 33.5 - 37 )
38.9
( 37 - 40.7 )
Age group (years)
15-24
42.1
( 38.4 - 45.8 )
37.7
( 32.6 - 42.8 )
46.9
( 41.9 - 51.8 )
25-44
38.6
( 36.8 - 40.5 )
37.7
( 35.1 - 40.3 )
39.5
( 37 - 42 )
45-64
34.9
( 33 - 36.9 )
32.8
( 30.1 - 35.5 )
36.9
( 34 - 39.8 )
65+
32.6
( 29.9 - 35.2 )
31.9
( 29 - 34.8 )
33.2
( 28.8 - 37.7 )
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
48.2
( 44.8 - 51.5 )
45.4
( 40.3 - 50.4 )
50.7
( 47.1 - 54.4 )
Pacific
49.7
( 46 - 53.3 )
48.2
( 43.3 - 53.1 )
51.2
( 46.6 - 55.8 )
Asian
49.4
( 44.9 - 54 )
47.7
( 41.1 - 54.3 )
51.2
( 45 - 57.3 )
NZ European / Other
34.1
( 32.7 - 35.6 )
31.9
( 30 - 33.7 )
36.2
( 34.2 - 38.3 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
30.2
( 27.9 - 32.4 )
27.9
( 25 - 30.9 )
32.5
( 28.7 - 36.2 )
Mid (4-7)
36.4
( 34.2 - 38.6 )
34.9
( 32.1 - 37.6 )
37.8
( 34.8 - 40.8 )
Most (8-10)
44.5
( 41.6 - 47.4 )
42.7
( 38.5 - 47 )
46.2
( 43.3 - 49.1 )
Total
Men
Women
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Estimated smokers in NZ out of 100
(.95CI)
Total
41.1
( 39.5 - 42.8 )
38.6
( 35.8 - 41.3 )
43.5
( 41.7 - 45.4 )
Age group (years)
15-24
50.8
( 46.5 - 55.1 )
46.8
( 40.6 - 53 )
54.9
( 49.4 - 60.5 )
25-44
42.7
( 40.5 - 45 )
40.2
( 36.8 - 43.7 )
45.0
( 41.9 - 48 )
45-64
37.5
( 33.5 - 41.5 )
35.5
( 27.7 - 43.4 )
39.4
( 36.6 - 42.1 )
65+
34.6
( 31.8 - 37.5 )
31.8
( 27.3 - 36.2 )
37.2
( 33.5 - 40.9 )
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
53.7
( 50.4 - 57 )
49.7
( 45.1 - 54.2 )
57.5
( 53 - 62 )
Pacific
58.4
( 54.5 - 62.3 )
54.2
( 49 - 59.3 )
62.5
( 56.9 - 68.2 )
Asian
58.1
( 47.7 - 68.5 )
67.2
( 47.3 - 87.1 )
49.5
( 42.1 - 56.9 )
NZ European / Other
36.1
( 34.6 - 37.5 )
31.9
( 29.9 - 34 )
39.9
( 37.8 - 42 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
35.3
( 30.8 - 39.7 )
32.7
( 24.1 - 41.3 )
37.9
( 34.6 - 41.2 )
Mid (4-7)
39.0
( 36.4 - 41.6 )
36.9
( 33.2 - 40.6 )
40.8
( 37.6 - 44.1 )
Most (8-10)
50.6
( 47.3 - 54 )
47.9
( 42.7 - 53.1 )
53.0
( 48.9 - 57.1 )
The estimated number of people is the value that is inferred for that population based on data collected from the survey sample. Estimated numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000 people.
Source:
Health and Lifestyles Survey
Notes:
This table presents unadjusted results; that is, the prevalence or mean estimates reflect the actual percentage or mean of the population affected in each time period.
Total response measure of ethnicity was used. People who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.
Dashes indicate insufficient sample size.
No subgroups comparison available.
Changes over time
This table presents unadjusted results; that is, the mean estimates for the specified population in each survey year. Statistically significant differences between years are shown in bold ( p value < .05).
Show
Unadjusted mean
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
Population group
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2010 and 2020
2012 and 2020
2014 and 2020
2016 and 2020
2018 and 2020
Total
41.1
37.1
37.7
36.6
38.8
32.8
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
Men
38.6
35.2
35.0
34.8
37.0
30.5
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
Women
43.5
38.9
40.4
38.3
40.6
35.0
.000
.002
.000
.003
.000
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
50.8
42.1
48.0
45.1
47.6
36.8
.000
.040
.000
.001
.000
25-44
42.7
38.6
38.2
38.2
39.2
33.9
.000
.001
.002
.002
.000
45-64
37.5
34.9
34.2
33.5
36.5
30.9
.002
.002
.023
.028
.000
65+
34.6
32.6
32.4
30.4
33.4
30.5
.014
.196
.157
.967
.052
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
53.7
48.2
48.7
47.8
49.7
40.2
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
Pacific
58.4
49.7
54.5
52.9
55.8
46.7
.000
.261
.009
.007
.000
Asian
58.1
49.4
46.0
44.1
45.6
37.5
.000
.000
.017
.019
.019
NZ European / Other
36.1
34.1
33.9
32.9
34.5
29.4
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
35.3
30.2
31.2
29.5
32.0
28.5
.008
.313
.125
.476
.050
Mid (4-7)
39.0
36.4
37.3
36.8
37.9
32.5
.000
.003
.000
.000
.000
Most (8-10)
50.6
44.5
47.1
44.8
48.3
38.5
.000
.004
.000
.002
.000
Unadjusted mean
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
Population group
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2010 and 2018
2012 and 2018
2014 and 2018
2016 and 2018
Total
41.1
37.1
37.7
36.6
38.8
.044
.110
.323
.031
Men
38.6
35.2
35.0
34.8
37.0
.349
.202
.156
.108
Women
43.5
38.9
40.4
38.3
40.6
.034
.222
.874
.073
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
50.8
42.1
48.0
45.1
47.6
.316
.077
.889
.398
25-44
42.7
38.6
38.2
38.2
39.2
.026
.725
.528
.527
45-64
37.5
34.9
34.2
33.5
36.5
.681
.293
.161
.032
65+
34.6
32.6
32.4
30.4
33.4
.525
.641
.528
.076
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
53.7
48.2
48.7
47.8
49.7
.114
.531
.649
.387
Pacific
58.4
49.7
54.5
52.9
55.8
.317
.013
.643
.154
Asian
58.1
49.4
46.0
44.1
45.6
.035
.272
.906
.637
NZ European / Other
36.1
34.1
33.9
32.9
34.5
.172
.721
.575
.112
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
35.3
30.2
31.2
29.5
32.0
.214
.301
.661
.113
Mid (4-7)
39.0
36.4
37.3
36.8
37.9
.562
.380
.747
.497
Most (8-10)
50.6
44.5
47.1
44.8
48.3
.299
.069
.545
.084
Unadjusted mean
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
Population group
2010
2012
2014
2016
2010 and 2016
2012 and 2016
2014 and 2016
Total
41.1
37.1
37.7
36.6
.000
.590
.205
Men
38.6
35.2
35.0
34.8
.021
.759
.898
Women
43.5
38.9
40.4
38.3
.000
.621
.066
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
50.8
42.1
48.0
45.1
.036
.247
.247
25-44
42.7
38.6
38.2
38.2
.002
.762
.989
45-64
37.5
34.9
34.2
33.5
.065
.260
.615
65+
34.6
32.6
32.4
30.4
.023
.229
.204
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
53.7
48.2
48.7
47.8
.006
.860
.651
Pacific
58.4
49.7
54.5
52.9
.021
.164
.539
Asian
58.1
49.4
46.0
44.1
.012
.064
.557
NZ European / Other
36.1
34.1
33.9
32.9
.001
.193
.262
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
35.3
30.2
31.2
29.5
.017
.644
.274
Mid (4-7)
39.0
36.4
37.3
36.8
.180
.787
.708
Most (8-10)
50.6
44.5
47.1
44.8
.008
.881
.209
Unadjusted mean
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
Population group
2010
2012
2014
2010 and 2014
2012 and 2014
Total
41.1
37.1
37.7
.002
.494
Men
38.6
35.2
35.0
.032
.867
Women
43.5
38.9
40.4
.012
.236
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
50.8
42.1
48.0
.324
.028
25-44
42.7
38.6
38.2
.003
.757
45-64
37.5
34.9
34.2
.160
.639
65+
34.6
32.6
32.4
.212
.924
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
53.7
48.2
48.7
.024
.822
Pacific
58.4
49.7
54.5
.207
.107
Asian
58.1
49.4
46.0
.046
.354
NZ European / Other
36.1
34.1
33.9
.037
.836
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
35.3
30.2
31.2
.117
.557
Mid (4-7)
39.0
36.4
37.3
.342
.544
Most (8-10)
50.6
44.5
47.1
.097
.172
Unadjusted mean
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
Population group
2010
2012
2010 and 2012
Total
41.1
37.1
.000
Men
38.6
35.2
.042
Women
43.5
38.9
.000
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
50.8
42.1
.003
25-44
42.7
38.6
.006
45-64
37.5
34.9
.254
65+
34.6
32.6
.298
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
53.7
48.2
.021
Pacific
58.4
49.7
.001
Asian
58.1
49.4
.137
NZ European / Other
36.1
34.1
.067
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
35.3
30.2
.045
Mid (4-7)
39.0
36.4
.131
Most (8-10)
50.6
44.5
.007
Unadjusted mean
Population group
2010
Total
41.1
Men
38.6
Women
43.5
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
50.8
25-44
42.7
45-64
37.5
65+
34.6
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
53.7
Pacific
58.4
Asian
58.1
NZ European / Other
36.1
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
35.3
Mid (4-7)
39.0
Most (8-10)
50.6
Source:
Health and Lifestyles Survey
Notes:
Total response measure of ethnicity was used. People who reported belonging to more than one ethnic group are counted once in each group they reported.
Dashes indicate that the data is not available.
Indicator definition
Perceived proportion of New Zealanders who smoke.
Question:
For the next question we are looking for your best guess. What percentage of New Zealanders aged 15 and over smoke cigarettes at least once a day?
(Number 0 - 100)
Interpretation notes
Change in response rate
Lower response rates in 2018 than in 2016 and 2020 among young (15 to 24 years) male Māori, young male NZ European/Other, young female Asian, and older (55+ years) male Asian respondents mean that comparisons of 2018 data with 2016 and 2020 should be made with caution. We recommend focusing on longer-term trends where possible.
Impacts of Covid
Interviewing for the 2020 Health and Lifestyles Survey was delayed for five months due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Interviewing was then suspended twice in the Auckland region in response to the alert level being raised to level 3. At all other times, interviewing took place at alert levels 1 and 2 with additional COVID-19 precautions in place. It is unclear what impact the delays to the survey and the pandemic response have had on the data. No adjustments have been made to account for the impacts of these delays and the pandemic response.
