Obese patients have been paid up to $911 to lose weight in a UK trial to test if financial incentives can be used to change unhealthy behaviour.

MPs probing the tobacco industry got personal with the family of a Maori smoking victim describing the impact of his addiction and death.

An Auckland academic says smoking rates in New Zealand would plummet if tobacco products could not be displayed at shops.

Maori told the parliamentary tobacco inquiry today that their marae were being undermined by tobacco smoking and associated early death.

Cigarette smokers have lower IQs than non-smokers and the more a person smokes, the lower his IQ, according to a new study.

Researchers at Columbia University found happier people were less likely to develop serious heart problems.

TVNZ staff under investigation for marijuana use tried to get photos taken during a smoking session deleted, according to people at the gathering.

A proposal to ban smoking at beaches and other public places doesn't have the support of John Key, who thinks it is too "nanny state".

Health officials tackling Maori smoking want new measures to ban the habit at beaches, playgrounds, bus stops and other areas.

Just under 50 per cent of Maori women smoke, compared to 20 per cent for the whole population aged 15 to 64.

A sea change may be occurring in young people's attitudes to tobacco.

The Ministry of Health has given the clearest signal yet that the Government is likely to increase the tax on cigarettes to help slash the number of people who smoke.