Latest from Smoking
Cancer deaths fall but smokers face rise
The death rate from cancer has fallen over the past 25 years, but lung cancer will overtake breast cancer as the biggest killer among women within the next few years, said leading experts.
Plain packs derided as not working
The tobacco industry has ramped up efforts to persuade New Zealand against plain packaging, by circulating research claiming to show the policy has not worked in Australia.
Youth smoking in decline
The number of Year 10 pupils who smoke every day has dropped, new figures released today show.
Ban roll-your-own tobacco - expert
Roll-your-own tobacco is ''more dangerous'' than factory-made cigarettes and should be banned, says Professor Richard Edwards.
Millions of cigarettes wash ashore in Devon
Police have warned against a "free-for-all" after a shipping container with a cargo of several million cigarettes washed ashore in Devon.
Matt McCarten: Why Polly shouldn't have that lolly
Future generations will look back with horrified incredulity at how we allowed a cartel of international drug pushers to promote and sell poison legally.
Brian Rudman: Message for big tobacco - it's time to butt out
The bully boys of American trade have issued a thinly veiled threat of repercussions to NZ's exports if the Govt persists with plain packaging, writes Brian Rudman.
Tobacco companies warned in debate
Tariana Turia has kicked off the parliamentary debate on plain packaging of cigarettes with a warning to tobacco companies not to meddle in NZ affairs.
Most MPs set to back plain-package smokes
A hard-hitting law change to stamp out the tobacco industry's last avenue of marketing is likely to get wide support when it comes to Parliament.
Smokefree dairy thriving
A Wanganui dairy has gone smokefree - and business has never been better, says its owner.
Smokers given the chance to quit in free trial
A trial which offers smokers the chance to try nicotine replacement therapy whether they want to quit or not has started in Wellington.
Editorial: Voucher scheme worth trying
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.
Tobacco prices jump after NY tax hike
A 10 per cent tax hike on tobacco introduced today will help more Kiwis escape a "creeping death", anti-smoking advocates say.
Plain packaged tobacco debate begins
Parliament will begin its debate on plain packaging for tobacco early next year, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia has confirmed.
E-cig users sucking in more toxins than regular smokers - research
New research suggests people who smoke electronic cigarettes could still be inhaling a host of dangerous chemicals.
Criminal's smoke break getaway
A dangerous criminal escaped custody at the Dunedin Central police station while outside on a smoking break, police have confirmed.
More Kiwis stubbing out ciggies - survey
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.
Anti-smoking backers hail decline
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.
More Kiwis stub out smoking habit
Adults' rate of smoking has declined to 15 per cent in the latest census, down from 20.7 per cent in 2006.
Sudden infant death rate drops
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.
Smoking while pregnant harms DNA
New research showing smoking causes severe DNA damage to the placenta will greatly motivate pregnant women to kick the habit, a quitting expert says.