• New Zealand Gambling Survey
    • Health and Lifestyles Survey
    • Alcohol Use in New Zealand
  • |
      Health and Lifestyles Survey
      • All respondents
      • Alcohol
      • Eating
      • Gambling
      • Māori cultural identity
      • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Sun exposure
      • Tobacco
      • Vaping / e-cigarettes
      • Attitudes to tobacco
      • Cannabis use
      • Quit smoking
      • Tobacco exposure
      • Tobacco use
      • Age first tried a cigarette
      • Age of starting smoking daily
      • Current smoker
      • Current smoker – daily
      • Past experimental smoker
      • Former smoker
      • Never smoker
      • Average number of cigarettes smoked per day (out of daily smokers)
      • Addiction to tobacco
      • Ever smoked tobacco
      Health and Lifestyles Survey Tobacco Tobacco use Never smoker

      Tobacco use

      Tobacco

      Indicator: Never smoker

      New Zealand adults who never smoked, even just a few puffs.

        • Graphs
        • Data
      2020 Health and Lifestyles Survey

      This is the percentage of the population affected (that is, the unadjusted prevalence in the specified population).

      Estimated numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000 people.

      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.

      Age and sex

      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.

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

      Notes:

      • Missing bar in chart indicates insufficient sample size.

      Prevalence for selected indicator

      This table shows the percentage of the population affected.

      Show
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 36.6 ( 34.3 - 39 ) 31.5 ( 28.1 - 35.1 ) 41.5 ( 38.5 - 44.6 ) 1,500,000 ( 1,403,000 - 1,599,000 )
      Age group (years)
      16-24 50.5 ( 43.2 - 57.8 ) 48.0 ( 38.5 - 57.7 ) 52.7 ( 43.4 - 61.9 ) 296,000 ( 253,000 - 338,000 )
      25-44 37.6 ( 33.3 - 42 ) 31.2 ( 25.1 - 37.8 ) 44.1 ( 39.1 - 49.1 ) 529,000 ( 469,000 - 591,000 )
      45-64 33.2 ( 29 - 37.5 ) 29.1 ( 22.8 - 36 ) 36.8 ( 31.1 - 42.7 ) 412,000 ( 360,000 - 466,000 )
      65+ 30.7 ( 26.1 - 35.5 ) 23.6 ( 17.3 - 30.9 ) 37.4 ( 30.9 - 44.2 ) 263,000 ( 224,000 - 305,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 21.5 ( 18 - 25.3 ) 20.6 ( 15.6 - 26.3 ) 22.1 ( 18 - 26.7 ) 126,000 ( 106,000 - 149,000 )
      Pacific 33.9 ( 26.8 - 41.6 ) 30.2 ( 21.2 - 40.4 ) 37.2 ( 28.3 - 46.8 ) 96,000 ( 76,000 - 118,000 )
      Asian 67.0 ( 59.3 - 74 ) 55.0 ( 42.3 - 67.2 ) 78.7 ( 69.6 - 86 ) 469,000 ( 415,000 - 518,000 )
      NZ European / Other 31.1 ( 28.4 - 33.8 ) 27.0 ( 23.2 - 31 ) 35.0 ( 31.4 - 38.7 ) 895,000 ( 818,000 - 975,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 37.8 ( 33.1 - 42.7 ) 32.3 ( 25.2 - 40.1 ) 42.9 ( 36.2 - 49.8 ) 494,000 ( 433,000 - 557,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 36.2 ( 32.3 - 40.3 ) 30.9 ( 25.8 - 36.5 ) 41.5 ( 36.6 - 46.5 ) 630,000 ( 562,000 - 701,000 )
      Most (8-10) 35.8 ( 30.5 - 41.3 ) 31.4 ( 24.5 - 39 ) 40.0 ( 33.5 - 46.7 ) 376,000 ( 320,000 - 434,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 45.8 ( 42.6 - 49 ) 41.0 ( 36.2 - 45.9 ) 50.3 ( 46.8 - 53.7 ) 1,783,000 ( 1,659,000 - 1,907,000 )
      Age group (years)
      15-24 56.1 ( 45.9 - 66 ) 50.3 ( 34.6 - 66 ) 62.2 ( 49.4 - 73.9 ) 367,000 ( 300,000 - 431,000 )
      25-44 46.6 ( 41.4 - 51.8 ) 43.4 ( 35.7 - 51.4 ) 49.6 ( 44 - 55.1 ) 598,000 ( 532,000 - 666,000 )
      45-64 43.9 ( 39.3 - 48.7 ) 39.3 ( 31.9 - 47.1 ) 48.0 ( 42.3 - 53.7 ) 521,000 ( 466,000 - 578,000 )
      65+ 38.4 ( 33.7 - 43.3 ) 30.9 ( 23.1 - 39.7 ) 45.4 ( 38.4 - 52.6 ) 297,000 ( 260,000 - 334,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 27.5 ( 21.3 - 34.4 ) 23.1 ( 14 - 34.5 ) 31.4 ( 24.4 - 39.1 ) 138,000 ( 107,000 - 173,000 )
      Pacific 48.8 ( 41.2 - 56.4 ) 48.6 ( 36.6 - 60.7 ) 49.0 ( 40.1 - 57.9 ) 126,000 ( 106,000 - 145,000 )
      Asian 77.3 ( 69.5 - 83.9 ) 67.5 ( 54.4 - 78.9 ) 86.2 ( 76.3 - 93.2 ) 462,000 ( 415,000 - 502,000 )
      NZ European / Other 40.9 ( 37.1 - 44.8 ) 36.5 ( 30.8 - 42.6 ) 45.2 ( 41.1 - 49.4 ) 1,203,000 ( 1,091,000 - 1,318,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 52.6 ( 45.6 - 59.5 ) 49.3 ( 39.5 - 59.2 ) 55.8 ( 48.4 - 63 ) 657,000 ( 569,000 - 743,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 42.2 ( 37.4 - 47.2 ) 35.2 ( 27.7 - 43.2 ) 48.6 ( 43 - 54.3 ) 651,000 ( 577,000 - 728,000 )
      Most (8-10) 43.3 ( 37.8 - 48.9 ) 39.7 ( 31.8 - 48 ) 46.7 ( 40.1 - 53.3 ) 470,000 ( 410,000 - 530,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 38.4 ( 36 - 40.8 ) 32.2 ( 28.8 - 35.9 ) 44.2 ( 41.2 - 47.2 ) 1,448,000 ( 1,358,000 - 1,539,000 )
      Age group (years)
      15-24 53.3 ( 46.1 - 60.4 ) 48.3 ( 37.7 - 59 ) 58.8 ( 48.7 - 68.4 ) 357,000 ( 309,000 - 405,000 )
      25-44 38.5 ( 34.7 - 42.4 ) 31.9 ( 26.2 - 38.1 ) 44.8 ( 40 - 49.6 ) 471,000 ( 425,000 - 519,000 )
      45-64 33.7 ( 30.2 - 37.3 ) 28.6 ( 23.1 - 34.6 ) 38.2 ( 33.8 - 42.6 ) 403,000 ( 362,000 - 446,000 )
      65+ 31.6 ( 27.6 - 35.9 ) 22.3 ( 17.1 - 28.1 ) 40.7 ( 34.6 - 47 ) 216,000 ( 188,000 - 245,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.2 ( 18.2 - 26.5 ) 20.3 ( 14.4 - 27.2 ) 23.9 ( 18.4 - 30 ) 110,000 ( 90,000 - 132,000 )
      Pacific 45.3 ( 38.4 - 52.3 ) 43.5 ( 32.9 - 54.5 ) 47.2 ( 39.1 - 55.4 ) 115,000 ( 97,000 - 133,000 )
      Asian 69.8 ( 63.1 - 75.9 ) 56.7 ( 45.3 - 67.6 ) 82.2 ( 73.3 - 89.1 ) 383,000 ( 347,000 - 417,000 )
      NZ European / Other 33.0 ( 30.4 - 35.7 ) 27.7 ( 24 - 31.6 ) 38.0 ( 34.4 - 41.7 ) 945,000 ( 869,000 - 1,023,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 39.8 ( 34.9 - 44.9 ) 33.3 ( 26.3 - 40.8 ) 45.8 ( 39.5 - 52.3 ) 463,000 ( 406,000 - 522,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 38.0 ( 33.9 - 42.3 ) 31.8 ( 25.9 - 38.1 ) 43.8 ( 38.6 - 49.2 ) 624,000 ( 556,000 - 694,000 )
      Most (8-10) 37.2 ( 32.7 - 41.8 ) 31.8 ( 26.3 - 37.7 ) 42.8 ( 37.6 - 48.1 ) 361,000 ( 317,000 - 406,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 40.8 ( 37.5 - 44.1 ) 37.1 ( 32.5 - 41.8 ) 44.2 ( 40.4 - 48 ) 1,460,000 ( 1,342,000 - 1,579,000 )
      Age group (years)
      15-24 53.5 ( 42.7 - 64.1 ) 55.0 ( 43 - 66.6 ) 52.0 ( 36.6 - 67.2 ) 343,000 ( 273,000 - 410,000 )
      25-44 39.6 ( 34.7 - 44.6 ) 34.7 ( 27.3 - 42.7 ) 44.1 ( 38.4 - 50 ) 458,000 ( 402,000 - 516,000 )
      45-64 37.2 ( 32.4 - 42.1 ) 37.0 ( 29.1 - 45.5 ) 37.3 ( 31.9 - 43 ) 404,000 ( 353,000 - 458,000 )
      65+ 36.6 ( 30.6 - 42.9 ) 23.3 ( 17.3 - 30.3 ) 48.1 ( 38.8 - 57.4 ) 255,000 ( 213,000 - 299,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 26.2 ( 21 - 32 ) 25.5 ( 18.1 - 34.1 ) 26.9 ( 19.4 - 35.5 ) 122,000 ( 98,000 - 150,000 )
      Pacific 38.8 ( 31.7 - 46.4 ) 28.5 ( 19.6 - 38.9 ) 49.0 ( 37.5 - 60.5 ) 87,000 ( 71,000 - 104,000 )
      Asian 65.5 ( 51.9 - 77.4 ) 50.0 ( 33.7 - 66.4 ) 79.5 ( 61 - 91.9 ) 298,000 ( 236,000 - 353,000 )
      NZ European / Other 38.6 ( 35 - 42.3 ) 37.2 ( 32.1 - 42.5 ) 39.9 ( 35.5 - 44.4 ) 1,054,000 ( 955,000 - 1,156,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 45.5 ( 38.4 - 52.8 ) 43.1 ( 32.6 - 54 ) 47.8 ( 40.2 - 55.5 ) 516,000 ( 435,000 - 598,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 40.3 ( 35.5 - 45.3 ) 34.6 ( 28.3 - 41.3 ) 46.0 ( 39.9 - 52.2 ) 624,000 ( 549,000 - 701,000 )
      Most (8-10) 35.5 ( 30.3 - 41 ) 33.9 ( 26.1 - 42.4 ) 36.8 ( 30.4 - 43.7 ) 314,000 ( 267,000 - 362,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 41.4 ( 38.4 - 44.5 ) 38.3 ( 34.3 - 42.4 ) 44.4 ( 40.5 - 48.3 ) 1,442,000 ( 1,338,000 - 1,547,000 )
      Age group (years)
      15-24 47.1 ( 38.4 - 56 ) 45.6 ( 35.2 - 56.3 ) 48.6 ( 36 - 61.3 ) 291,000 ( 237,000 - 345,000 )
      25-44 43.1 ( 38.4 - 47.9 ) 40.7 ( 33.4 - 48.4 ) 45.2 ( 39.3 - 51.3 ) 490,000 ( 436,000 - 545,000 )
      45-64 37.3 ( 33 - 41.7 ) 34.0 ( 27.6 - 40.8 ) 40.1 ( 34.4 - 46.1 ) 411,000 ( 364,000 - 460,000 )
      65+ 40.2 ( 34.5 - 46 ) 33.5 ( 26.2 - 41.5 ) 46.6 ( 38.4 - 55.1 ) 250,000 ( 215,000 - 287,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 20.2 ( 15.7 - 25.2 ) 20.1 ( 14.5 - 26.8 ) 20.3 ( 14 - 27.8 ) 90,000 ( 70,000 - 112,000 )
      Pacific 44.5 ( 37.9 - 51.3 ) 36.1 ( 27.9 - 44.9 ) 52.4 ( 42.4 - 62.2 ) 91,000 ( 78,000 - 105,000 )
      Asian 73.2 ( 64.9 - 80.5 ) 61.2 ( 46 - 75 ) 83.8 ( 75.2 - 90.4 ) 290,000 ( 257,000 - 319,000 )
      NZ European / Other 41.5 ( 38.1 - 45 ) 39.2 ( 34.7 - 43.9 ) 43.5 ( 39 - 48.2 ) 1,177,000 ( 1,079,000 - 1,276,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 43.8 ( 36.8 - 50.9 ) 35.9 ( 27.2 - 45.4 ) 51.6 ( 43.1 - 60.1 ) 414,000 ( 348,000 - 481,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 43.1 ( 38.5 - 47.7 ) 41.0 ( 34.7 - 47.6 ) 44.9 ( 39.1 - 50.8 ) 641,000 ( 573,000 - 711,000 )
      Most (8-10) 37.0 ( 31.5 - 42.7 ) 36.6 ( 29.8 - 43.9 ) 37.2 ( 30.1 - 44.9 ) 387,000 ( 330,000 - 446,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 39.5 ( 35.8 - 43.3 ) 33.7 ( 27.8 - 39.9 ) 44.9 ( 40.2 - 49.7 ) 1,359,000 ( 1,231,000 - 1,491,000 )
      Age group (years)
      15-24 46.5 ( 34.4 - 58.9 ) 47.3 ( 30.1 - 64.9 ) 45.7 ( 29.9 - 62.2 ) 274,000 ( 203,000 - 347,000 )
      25-44 35.5 ( 29.5 - 41.8 ) 31.6 ( 23.1 - 41.1 ) 39.0 ( 31 - 47.4 ) 416,000 ( 346,000 - 490,000 )
      45-64 36.4 ( 29.8 - 43.3 ) 31.2 ( 20.8 - 43.2 ) 41.3 ( 34.4 - 48.5 ) 412,000 ( 338,000 - 490,000 )
      65+ 46.8 ( 39.2 - 54.6 ) 27.5 ( 17.3 - 39.7 ) 63.7 ( 52.4 - 73.9 ) 257,000 ( 215,000 - 300,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 17.8 ( 12.7 - 23.9 ) 23.7 ( 14.8 - 34.7 ) 12.4 ( 8 - 18.2 ) 78,000 ( 55,000 - 104,000 )
      Pacific 33.9 ( 26.4 - 42.1 ) 27.1 ( 15.7 - 41.2 ) 40.4 ( 30.1 - 51.3 ) 66,000 ( 51,000 - 82,000 )
      Asian 60.7 ( 41.6 - 77.7 ) 46.7 ( 17.6 - 77.7 ) 73.7 ( 51.3 - 89.7 ) 220,000 ( 151,000 - 282,000 )
      NZ European / Other 38.5 ( 34.2 - 42.9 ) 33.1 ( 26.8 - 39.8 ) 43.5 ( 37.8 - 49.3 ) 1,037,000 ( 922,000 - 1,156,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 43.2 ( 35.7 - 50.8 ) 37.9 ( 26.7 - 50.1 ) 48.5 ( 38.8 - 58.3 ) 504,000 ( 417,000 - 593,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 39.2 ( 32.8 - 45.8 ) 29.9 ( 20.1 - 41.1 ) 47.5 ( 39.8 - 55.3 ) 491,000 ( 411,000 - 574,000 )
      Most (8-10) 35.7 ( 30.4 - 41.2 ) 33.1 ( 25.5 - 41.4 ) 37.9 ( 30.4 - 46 ) 365,000 ( 311,000 - 422,000 )
      Total
      Men
      Women
      Estimated number of adults
      % (.95CI) % (.95CI) % (.95CI) Total (.95CI)
      Total 40.6 ( 37 - 44.3 ) 34.3 ( 29.1 - 39.8 ) 46.5 ( 41.6 - 51.5 ) 1,367,000 ( 1,246,000 - 1,490,000 )
      Age group (years)
      15-24 43.3 ( 31.7 - 55.5 ) 37.5 ( 19.6 - 58.3 ) 49.3 ( 35.2 - 63.5 ) 268,000 ( 196,000 - 343,000 )
      25-44 40.8 ( 35.6 - 46.3 ) 35.1 ( 27.6 - 43.1 ) 46.0 ( 38.6 - 53.6 ) 491,000 ( 427,000 - 556,000 )
      45-64 37.8 ( 31.7 - 44.2 ) 32.9 ( 24.8 - 41.8 ) 43.2 ( 35 - 51.6 ) 397,000 ( 333,000 - 464,000 )
      65+ 42.6 ( 34.2 - 51.3 ) 31.3 ( 19.6 - 45 ) 50.3 ( 38.8 - 61.8 ) 212,000 ( 170,000 - 255,000 )
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.3 ( 16.6 - 28.9 ) 23.4 ( 14.4 - 34.5 ) 21.3 ( 14.4 - 29.8 ) 94,000 ( 70,000 - 122,000 )
      Pacific 42.6 ( 34.6 - 50.8 ) 46.6 ( 33.1 - 60.6 ) 38.9 ( 30.1 - 48.4 ) 78,000 ( 63,000 - 93,000 )
      Asian 81.2 ( 64.9 - 92.2 ) 69.7 ( 39.5 - 90.9 ) 91.7 ( 77.2 - 98.4 ) 260,000 ( 208,000 - 295,000 )
      NZ European / Other 37.0 ( 33 - 41.2 ) 30.3 ( 24.6 - 36.5 ) 43.3 ( 37.4 - 49.4 ) 991,000 ( 883,000 - 1,102,000 )
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 46.6 ( 39.7 - 53.6 ) 36.4 ( 26.6 - 47.2 ) 55.7 ( 46.6 - 64.6 ) 489,000 ( 417,000 - 562,000 )
      Mid (4-7) 39.6 ( 33 - 46.5 ) 34.8 ( 25.5 - 44.9 ) 44.1 ( 35 - 53.6 ) 538,000 ( 448,000 - 632,000 )
      Most (8-10) 35.5 ( 29.2 - 42.3 ) 31.5 ( 21.4 - 43 ) 39.4 ( 32 - 47.2 ) 340,000 ( 279,000 - 404,000 )

      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.

      Subgroup Comparison (2020)

      Adjusted prevalence ratios are used to compare the results for different population subgroups. An adjusted ratio above 1 shows that the indicator is more likely, and an adjusted ratio below 1 shows the indicator is less likely, in the group of interest (e.g. Māori) than the reference group (e.g. non-Māori), after adjusting for demographic variables that could influence the association.

      Show

      Kaupapa Māori consistent data analysis planning was supported by Māori and Pasifika advisors at Health New Zealand. In alignment with Kaupapa Māori research and Te Tiriti ō Waitangi principles, comparisons were made between ethnic groupings in order to identify ethnic inequities.

      Equity-based ethnicity is only used for comparisons and is another form of total response. Unlike total response, which compares one ethnic group with everyone else in the sample, equity-based ethnicities compare Māori to non-Māori and non-Pacific. The same comparison group is used for Pacific peoples.

      Adjusted ratios
      Population groups being compared Ratio (95% CI) Adjustment variables
      Sex
      Women vs men 1.33 ( 1.17 - 1.51 ) Age
      Māori Equity
      Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific 0.5 ( 0.42 - 0.6 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific 0.56 ( 0.42 - 0.74 ) Age
      Women: Māori vs non-Māori & non-Pacific 0.46 ( 0.38 - 0.56 ) Age
      Pacific Equity
      Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori 0.78 ( 0.63 - 0.96 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori 0.8 ( 0.57 - 1.11 ) Age
      Women: Pacific vs non-Pacific & non-Māori 0.76 ( 0.6 - 0.97 ) Age
      Māori
      Māori vs non-Māori 0.51 ( 0.43 - 0.61 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Māori vs non-Māori 0.57 ( 0.43 - 0.75 ) Age
      Women: Māori vs non-Māori 0.47 ( 0.38 - 0.57 ) Age
      Pacific
      Pacific vs non-Pacific 0.85 ( 0.69 - 1.05 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Pacific vs non-Pacific 0.87 ( 0.63 - 1.2 ) Age
      Women: Pacific vs non-Pacific 0.84 ( 0.66 - 1.07 ) Age
      Asian
      Asian vs non-Asian 2.18 ( 1.89 - 2.52 ) Age, Sex
      Men: Asian vs non-Asian 2.03 ( 1.57 - 2.63 ) Age
      Women: Asian vs non-Asian 2.32 ( 2.02 - 2.66 ) Age
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Most deprived vs least deprived 0.89 ( 0.74 - 1.08 ) Age, Sex, Ethnicity
      Men: Most deprived vs least deprived 0.9 ( 0.66 - 1.24 ) Age, Ethnicity
      Women: Most deprived vs least deprived 0.89 ( 0.73 - 1.09 ) Age, Ethnicity

      For example, an adjusted ratio of 1.50 for Māori vs non-Māori means that the indicator is 1.5 times more likely in Māori than non-Māori, after adjusting for differences in demographic variables such as sex and age.

      A highlighted value indicates that the adjusted ratio is statistically significant ( p value < .05).

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

      Notes:

      • This table gives comparisons as adjusted prevalence ratios.
      • Population groups being compared are based on total ethnicity.
      • Neighbourhood deprivation groups are least (1 - 3), mid (4 - 7) and most deprived (8 - 10).
      • The model for neighbourhood deprivation used prioritised ethnicity as an adjustment variable.
      • Dashes indicate that reliable estimates are unavailable due to, for example, an insufficient sample size or unusually wide confidence interval.

      Changes over time

      This table presents unadjusted results; that is, the prevalence estimates reflect the actual percentage for the specified population in each survey year. Statistically significant differences between years are shown in bold ( p value < .05).

      Show
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2008 and 2020 2010 and 2020 2012 and 2020 2014 and 2020 2016 and 2020 2018 and 2020
      Total 40.6 39.5 41.4 40.8 38.4 45.8 36.6 .072 .211 .015 .048 .316 .000
      Men 34.3 33.7 38.3 37.1 32.2 41.0 31.5 .385 .544 .013 .060 .769 .002
      Women 46.5 44.9 44.4 44.2 44.2 50.3 41.5 .095 .242 .266 .285 .228 .000
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 43.3 46.5 47.1 53.5 53.3 56.1 50.5 .317 .585 .563 .643 .582 .371
      25-44 40.8 35.5 43.1 39.6 38.5 46.6 37.6 .356 .584 .095 .553 .753 .009
      45-64 37.8 36.4 37.3 37.2 33.7 43.9 33.2 .226 .429 .187 .223 .850 .001
      65+ 42.6 46.8 40.2 36.6 31.6 38.4 30.7 .016 .000 .012 .134 .766 .023
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.3 17.8 20.2 26.2 22.2 27.5 21.5 .817 .281 .676 .160 .809 .113
      Pacific 42.6 33.9 44.5 38.8 45.3 48.8 33.9 .122 .993 .037 .355 .028 .006
      Asian 81.2 60.7 73.2 65.5 69.8 77.3 67.0 .072 .526 .256 .840 .575 .051
      NZ European / Other 37.0 38.5 41.5 38.6 33.0 40.9 31.1 .018 .005 .000 .001 .324 .000
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 46.6 43.2 43.8 45.5 39.8 52.6 37.8 .041 .243 .169 .080 .571 .001
      Mid (4-7) 39.6 39.2 43.1 40.3 38.0 42.2 36.2 .404 .453 .029 .209 .543 .063
      Most (8-10) 35.5 35.7 37.0 35.5 37.2 43.3 35.8 .953 .974 .770 .944 .702 .059
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2008 and 2018 2010 and 2018 2012 and 2018 2014 and 2018 2016 and 2018
      Total 40.6 39.5 41.4 40.8 38.4 45.8 .037 .013 .052 .032 .000
      Men 34.3 33.7 38.3 37.1 32.2 41.0 .070 .063 .397 .255 .004
      Women 46.5 44.9 44.4 44.2 44.2 50.3 .222 .076 .027 .020 .010
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 43.3 46.5 47.1 53.5 53.3 56.1 .107 .233 .185 .729 .657
      25-44 40.8 35.5 43.1 39.6 38.5 46.6 .133 .007 .331 .055 .015
      45-64 37.8 36.4 37.3 37.2 33.7 43.9 .124 .071 .040 .049 .001
      65+ 42.6 46.8 40.2 36.6 31.6 38.4 .404 .069 .652 .638 .035
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.3 17.8 20.2 26.2 22.2 27.5 .255 .026 .075 .766 .175
      Pacific 42.6 33.9 44.5 38.8 45.3 48.8 .274 .008 .411 .066 .503
      Asian 81.2 60.7 73.2 65.5 69.8 77.3 .617 .095 .456 .116 .128
      NZ European / Other 37.0 38.5 41.5 38.6 33.0 40.9 .171 .402 .836 .390 .001
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 46.6 43.2 43.8 45.5 39.8 52.6 .229 .071 .081 .165 .003
      Mid (4-7) 39.6 39.2 43.1 40.3 38.0 42.2 .531 .460 .814 .582 .203
      Most (8-10) 35.5 35.7 37.0 35.5 37.2 43.3 .077 .055 .115 .049 .096
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2008 and 2016 2010 and 2016 2012 and 2016 2014 and 2016
      Total 40.6 39.5 41.4 40.8 38.4 .312 .627 .121 .254
      Men 34.3 33.7 38.3 37.1 32.2 .526 .693 .029 .105
      Women 46.5 44.9 44.4 44.2 44.2 .435 .799 .945 .998
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 43.3 46.5 47.1 53.5 53.3 .158 .344 .281 .977
      25-44 40.8 35.5 43.1 39.6 38.5 .491 .412 .144 .741
      45-64 37.8 36.4 37.3 37.2 33.7 .259 .490 .213 .255
      65+ 42.6 46.8 40.2 36.6 31.6 .024 .001 .019 .190
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.3 17.8 20.2 26.2 22.2 .967 .220 .542 .250
      Pacific 42.6 33.9 44.5 38.8 45.3 .622 .034 .883 .213
      Asian 81.2 60.7 73.2 65.5 69.8 .137 .352 .504 .555
      NZ European / Other 37.0 38.5 41.5 38.6 33.0 .108 .036 .000 .016
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 46.6 43.2 43.8 45.5 39.8 .120 .471 .366 .201
      Mid (4-7) 39.6 39.2 43.1 40.3 38.0 .705 .776 .116 .494
      Most (8-10) 35.5 35.7 37.0 35.5 37.2 .686 .676 .951 .645
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2008 2010 2012 2014 2008 and 2014 2010 and 2014 2012 and 2014
      Total 40.6 39.5 41.4 40.8 .957 .619 .769
      Men 34.3 33.7 38.3 37.1 .444 .376 .710
      Women 46.5 44.9 44.4 44.2 .469 .815 .952
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 43.3 46.5 47.1 53.5 .212 .396 .363
      25-44 40.8 35.5 43.1 39.6 .732 .309 .316
      45-64 37.8 36.4 37.3 37.2 .872 .851 .979
      65+ 42.6 46.8 40.2 36.6 .261 .041 .404
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.3 17.8 20.2 26.2 .354 .036 .105
      Pacific 42.6 33.9 44.5 38.8 .503 .373 .260
      Asian 81.2 60.7 73.2 65.5 .099 .671 .312
      NZ European / Other 37.0 38.5 41.5 38.6 .570 .960 .263
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 46.6 43.2 43.8 45.5 .834 .656 .738
      Mid (4-7) 39.6 39.2 43.1 40.3 .866 .787 .422
      Most (8-10) 35.5 35.7 37.0 35.5 .997 .970 .718
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2008 2010 2012 2008 and 2012 2010 and 2012
      Total 40.6 39.5 41.4 .738 .430
      Men 34.3 33.7 38.3 .250 .214
      Women 46.5 44.9 44.4 .508 .860
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 43.3 46.5 47.1 .619 .938
      25-44 40.8 35.5 43.1 .542 .055
      45-64 37.8 36.4 37.3 .885 .829
      65+ 42.6 46.8 40.2 .642 .173
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.3 17.8 20.2 .591 .521
      Pacific 42.6 33.9 44.5 .714 .044
      Asian 81.2 60.7 73.2 .319 .212
      NZ European / Other 37.0 38.5 41.5 .102 .285
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 46.6 43.2 43.8 .581 .902
      Mid (4-7) 39.6 39.2 43.1 .405 .341
      Most (8-10) 35.5 35.7 37.0 .747 .746
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Statistical significance of difference between years ( p value)
      Population group 2008 2010 2008 and 2010
      Total 40.6 39.5 .671
      Men 34.3 33.7 .871
      Women 46.5 44.9 .653
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 43.3 46.5 .717
      25-44 40.8 35.5 .198
      45-64 37.8 36.4 .758
      65+ 42.6 46.8 .470
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.3 17.8 .285
      Pacific 42.6 33.9 .133
      Asian 81.2 60.7 .075
      NZ European / Other 37.0 38.5 .634
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 46.6 43.2 .511
      Mid (4-7) 39.6 39.2 .932
      Most (8-10) 35.5 35.7 .976
      Unadjusted prevalence
      Population group 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
      Total 40.6 39.5 41.4 40.8 38.4 45.8 36.6
      Men 34.3 33.7 38.3 37.1 32.2 41.0 31.5
      Women 46.5 44.9 44.4 44.2 44.2 50.3 41.5
      Age group (years)
      15-24 / 16-24 43.3 46.5 47.1 53.5 53.3 56.1 50.5
      25-44 40.8 35.5 43.1 39.6 38.5 46.6 37.6
      45-64 37.8 36.4 37.3 37.2 33.7 43.9 33.2
      65+ 42.6 46.8 40.2 36.6 31.6 38.4 30.7
      Ethnicity (total)
      Māori 22.3 17.8 20.2 26.2 22.2 27.5 21.5
      Pacific 42.6 33.9 44.5 38.8 45.3 48.8 33.9
      Asian 81.2 60.7 73.2 65.5 69.8 77.3 67.0
      NZ European / Other 37.0 38.5 41.5 38.6 33.0 40.9 31.1
      Neighbourhood deprivation
      Least (1-3) 46.6 43.2 43.8 45.5 39.8 52.6 37.8
      Mid (4-7) 39.6 39.2 43.1 40.3 38.0 42.2 36.2
      Most (8-10) 35.5 35.7 37.0 35.5 37.2 43.3 35.8

      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

      New Zealand adults who never smoked, even just a few puffs.

      Question:
      Have you ever smoked cigarettes or tobacco at all, even just a few puffs?
      (Yes / No)
      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.

      Navigation

      Topic: Tobacco

      Subtopic: Tobacco use

      Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey

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