This is the unadjusted average (mean) in the specified population.
The average (mean) number of cigarettes smoked per day was
9.8
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.
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
Age and sex
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
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.
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
Source:
Health and Lifestyles Survey
Notes:
Missing bar in chart indicates insufficient sample size.
Mean for selected indicator
Show
Total
Men
Women
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Total
9.8
( 9 - 10.6 )
10.6
( 9.3 - 11.9 )
9
( 8.1 - 9.8 )
Age group (years)
16-24
7.3
( 5.7 - 8.9 )
-
-
6.9
( 5.5 - 8.4 )
25-44
10.2
( 8.9 - 11.5 )
12
( 10.3 - 13.7 )
7.9
( 6.5 - 9.3 )
45-64
10
( 8.5 - 11.4 )
9.1
( 6.6 - 11.6 )
10.7
( 9.2 - 12.3 )
65+
10.2
( 8.5 - 11.9 )
-
-
9.1
( 6.9 - 11.3 )
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
10
( 9.1 - 11 )
11.7
( 9.9 - 13.6 )
8.8
( 7.8 - 9.8 )
Pacific
7.3
( 6.1 - 8.5 )
6.7
( 5.1 - 8.4 )
7.9
( 6.3 - 9.4 )
Asian
-
-
-
-
-
-
NZ European / Other
10.4
( 9.4 - 11.4 )
11.6
( 10 - 13.3 )
9.2
( 8 - 10.4 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
11
( 7.9 - 14.1 )
-
-
-
-
Mid (4-7)
9.6
( 8.3 - 10.9 )
10.1
( 7.9 - 12.3 )
9.2
( 7.8 - 10.5 )
Most (8-10)
9.6
( 8.5 - 10.6 )
10.8
( 9.3 - 12.4 )
8.2
( 7.2 - 9.2 )
Total
Men
Women
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Total
10.9
( 9.8 - 12.1 )
11.6
( 9.9 - 13.4 )
9.9
( 8.7 - 11.1 )
Age group (years)
15-24
9.7
( 6.2 - 13.2 )
-
-
7.2
( 6.3 - 8.2 )
25-44
12.1
( 10.3 - 14 )
13.1
( 10.2 - 16 )
11.2
( 8.9 - 13.4 )
45-64
10.9
( 9 - 12.8 )
11.3
( 8.5 - 14.1 )
10.1
( 8.3 - 11.9 )
65+
9.5
( 7.4 - 11.5 )
-
-
-
-
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
10.2
( 8.9 - 11.5 )
11.3
( 9.1 - 13.5 )
9
( 8 - 10.1 )
Pacific
7
( 5.5 - 8.6 )
7.5
( 4.9 - 10 )
6.6
( 5.4 - 7.8 )
Asian
-
-
-
-
-
-
NZ European / Other
11.5
( 10.1 - 12.9 )
12.2
( 10 - 14.4 )
10.4
( 8.8 - 12 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
11.3
( 6.6 - 16.1 )
-
-
-
-
Mid (4-7)
11.1
( 9 - 13.2 )
11.7
( 8.4 - 15 )
10.1
( 8.2 - 12 )
Most (8-10)
10.6
( 9.3 - 12 )
11.3
( 9.3 - 13.3 )
9.9
( 8.1 - 11.7 )
Total
Men
Women
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Average number of cigarettes smoked per day
(.95CI)
Total
9.8
( 9 - 10.5 )
10.2
( 9 - 11.3 )
9.3
( 8.4 - 10.1 )
Age group (years)
15-24
8.0
( 6.2 - 9.7 )
7.7
( 5.6 - 9.8 )
8.3
( 5.2 - 11.5 )
25-44
9.6
( 8.7 - 10.6 )
10.1
( 8.4 - 11.7 )
9.2
( 8.2 - 10.1 )
45-64
10.8
( 9.5 - 12 )
11.6
( 9.5 - 13.7 )
9.7
( 8.5 - 10.9 )
65+
10.0
( 7.8 - 12.3 )
-
-
-
-
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
10.2
( 9.2 - 11.2 )
11.7
( 9.9 - 13.6 )
9
( 8 - 10.1 )
Pacific
8.6
( 7.2 - 10.1 )
9.1
( 7.5 - 10.6 )
8.1
( 5.7 - 10.4 )
Asian
6.3
( 3.8 - 8.9 )
-
-
-
-
NZ European / Other
10.3
( 9.4 - 11.2 )
11
( 9.6 - 12.5 )
9.5
( 8.5 - 10.5 )
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
9.9
( 8.2 - 11.5 )
9.5
( 7.3 - 11.7 )
10.5
( 8.7 - 12.3 )
Mid (4-7)
9.8
( 8.5 - 11 )
10.3
( 8.1 - 12.5 )
9.2
( 7.7 - 10.6 )
Most (8-10)
9.7
( 8.7 - 10.7 )
10.4
( 8.8 - 12 )
8.8
( 7.5 - 10.1 )
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
2016
2018
2020
2016 and 2020
2018 and 2020
Total
9.8
10.9
9.8
.989
.104
Men
10.2
11.6
10.6
.640
.363
Women
9.3
9.9
9
.614
.201
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
8.0
9.7
7.3
.577
.213
25-44
9.6
12.1
10.2
.515
.094
45-64
10.8
10.9
10
.434
.452
65+
10.0
9.5
10.2
.898
.581
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
10.2
10.2
10
.803
.831
Pacific
8.6
7
7.3
.149
.823
Asian
6.3
-
-
-
-
NZ European / Other
10.3
11.5
10.4
.864
.225
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
9.9
11.3
11
.541
.906
Mid (4-7)
9.8
11.1
9.6
.869
.238
Most (8-10)
9.7
10.6
9.6
.851
.212
Unadjusted mean
Statistical significance of difference between years (
p
value)
Population group
2016
2018
2016 and 2018
Total
9.8
10.9
.092
Men
10.2
11.6
.176
Women
9.3
9.9
.392
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
8.0
9.7
.372
25-44
9.6
12.1
.020
45-64
10.8
10.9
.903
65+
10.0
9.5
.716
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
10.2
10.2
.999
Pacific
8.6
7
.133
Asian
6.3
-
-
NZ European / Other
10.3
11.5
.160
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
9.9
11.3
.577
Mid (4-7)
9.8
11.1
.287
Most (8-10)
9.7
10.6
.278
Unadjusted mean
Population group
2016
Total
9.8
Men
10.2
Women
9.3
Age group (years)
15-24 / 16-24
8.0
25-44
9.6
45-64
10.8
65+
10.0
Ethnicity (total)
Māori
10.2
Pacific
8.6
Asian
6.3
NZ European / Other
10.3
Neighbourhood deprivation
Least (1-3)
9.9
Mid (4-7)
9.8
Most (8-10)
9.7
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
The average number of cigarettes smoked per day by daily smokers.
Question:
On a typical day when you are smoking, about how many cigarettes do you smoke?
Have you ever smoked cigarettes or tobacco at all, even just a few puffs?
(Yes / No)
Looking at the Showcard, which best describes how often you smoke cigarettes now?
(At least once a day / At least once a week / At least once a month / Less often than once a month / I do not smoke now)
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.
