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A new study from the University of Queensland (UQ) has found that smoking rates have declined twice as fast in New Zealand compared to Australia, suggesting that more permissive vaping regulations could improve public health outcomes. The research, published in the journal Addiction, highlights the role of vaping accessibility in reducing smoking rates.
Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall from UQ’s National Center for Youth Substance Abuse Research noted that between 2016 and 2023, New Zealand’s adult daily smoking rate dropped by 10% per year, whereas Australia’s rate declined by only 5% annually.
“The larger decline in smoking in New Zealand closely mirrors vaping rates: in 2023, 9.7% of New Zealand adults vaped daily, compared to only 3.5% of Australian adults,” Professor Hall said.
New Zealand has taken a more open approach to vaping, allowing regulated sales through licensed retailers, similar to countries like the U.K., U.S., and Canada. In contrast, Australia enforces a highly restrictive, medical-only model for accessing vaping products. According to Professor Hall, increasing access to nicotine vaping products could improve public health, reduce social inequalities, and curb the illicit vaping market.
“Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Australia and New Zealand,” he added, emphasizing the urgent need for effective policy interventions.
The study found that smoking declined most significantly among younger adults, who also had the highest rates of vaping. Additionally, the largest reductions in smoking were observed among New Zealand’s most disadvantaged populations, where smoking rates were historically high.
Co-author Associate Professor Gary Chan pointed out that Australia’s restrictive vaping policies might have contributed to a thriving and increasingly violent black market, which now supplies more than 90% of vaping products.
“Restrictions on vaping require a careful balance to prevent youth access while ensuring that adult smokers have a viable alternative,” Professor Chan said.
He suggested that under a less-restrictive model, measures such as strict age verification, limiting sales to licensed retailers, banning youth-targeted flavoring, and restricting advertising to adolescents could help manage risks while maximizing public health benefits.
Professor Ron Borland from Deakin University’s School of Psychology highlighted the potential benefits of a more permissive vaping policy. He stated that if vaping is indeed driving New Zealand’s rapid smoking decline, then a regulated retail model could be an effective strategy for reducing smoking, particularly among high-risk groups.
“If Australia were to adopt a similar model to New Zealand, it could accelerate smoking reduction, improve public health, reduce health disparities for disadvantaged and Indigenous populations, and curtail the illicit vape market,” Professor Borland said.
The study’s findings contribute to the ongoing debate on vaping regulation and its role in public health policy, with researchers advocating for evidence-based approaches to tobacco harm reduction.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Readers should consult health professionals and review official government regulations regarding vaping and smoking policies.
