The latest New Zealand Health Survey confirms a significant decline in the number of smokers over the past decade.
The 2024/25 survey has found 6.8% of adults were daily smokers, a similar rate to the previous year (6.9%), but down significantly from 16.4% in the 2011/12 survey.
Data collection for the 2024/25 Health Survey was completed between July 2024 and July 2025.
In 2011/12, 16.4% of New Zealand adults smoked daily. The number of daily smokers has nearly halved since 2011/12, and New Zealand now has around 278,000 fewer daily smokers.
The latest data also highlights the decline in second-hand smoke exposure. 1.3% of children were exposed to second-hand smoke inside the home in 2024/25, down from 3.3% in 2015/16.
Youth smoking rates have declined over time. The daily smoking rate for young people aged 15-24 is now 3.2%.
In 2024/25, the prevalence of daily vaping was 11.7%. This is similar to the previous year (11.1%), but up from 0.9% when first measured in 2015/16.
Work is ongoing to achieve the goal of Smokefree 2025. This includes ensuring smokers have the practical tools and supports to quit smoking, including being able to access less harmful alternatives like vapes.
Read about recent changes to smokefree laws to better protect children and young people by reducing their access to vaping products.
For more information about the smoking and vaping results in the 2024/25 New Zealand Health Survey, read the Trends in daily smoking and daily vaping webpage.
