A Wanganui dairy has gone smokefree - and business has never been better, says its owner.

A trial which offers smokers the chance to try nicotine replacement therapy whether they want to quit or not has started in Wellington.

Predictably, there is outrage over a scheme in South Auckland that offers women smokers a voucher for up to $300 if they stop smoking while pregnant.

A 10 per cent tax hike on tobacco introduced today will help more Kiwis escape a "creeping death", anti-smoking advocates say.

Parliament will begin its debate on plain packaging for tobacco early next year, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia has confirmed.

The latest annual New Zealand Health survey found that the number of adult smokers fell from 17.8 per cent last year to 15.5 per cent this year.

The fall of more than a quarter in the prevalence of smoking, hailed by tobacco-control groups, mirrors the declining sales of cigarettes and loose tobacco.

Adults' rate of smoking has declined to 15 per cent in the latest census, down from 20.7 per cent in 2006.

The rate of babies dying prematurely or from sudden unexpected death in infancy has dropped sharply - but it's still too many, say child health experts.

New research showing smoking causes severe DNA damage to the placenta will greatly motivate pregnant women to kick the habit, a quitting expert says.

The number of New Zealanders dying from strokes has dropped dramatically in the last 20 years, but it's affecting more young and middle-aged people, a major new study has found.

Cigarettes containing a very low level of nicotine can help people quit smoking, if they are cheap enough, a trial has found.

New Zealand scientists have unearthed what may be a main reason nicotine replacement therapy is not a failsafe cure for tobacco addiction.

The Government wants the tobacco industry gone by 2025 but defiant cigarette manufacturers claim they will still be going strong. Their slogan: "We can."

Take an exclusive tour inside Imperial Tobacco’s factory.

Approval for smoking in SkyCity's high-roller lounge may be stubbed out after it was challenged in the High Court.

Calls for a smoking ban in cars have been reignited by new research showing nearly a quarter of Kiwi youngsters are being exposed to second-hand smoke in vehicles.

An offer of a farm as a prize for smokers wanting to quit has sparked a complaint to Internal Affairs.

SkyCity's proposal to light up another smoker-friendly gambling area has been stubbed out.