ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

'Unlikely': Expert weighs in on NZ reaching 2025 smoke-free target

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 19 Nov 2025, 4:45pm

'Unlikely': Expert weighs in on NZ reaching 2025 smoke-free target

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 19 Nov 2025, 4:45pm

There's little hope New Zealand can reach its 2025 smoke-free targets. 

The annual New Zealand Health survey has confirmed rates are stagnating just below 7 percent, with 12 percent of adult Kiwis vaping daily.

Auckland University School of Public Health's Kathryn Bradbury says this smoking plateau - follows 10 to 15 years of really good progress.

"The goal is to get under five percent - I mean, we're pretty close. But it looks unlikely."

The study also shows a third of adults are obese - and just 7 percent eat the recommended daily veggie intake. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you