Second-hand Smoke Reports

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Smokefree Homes Mini-Report [PDF, 400KB, 2 pages]
This short report, prepared for the Ministry of Health, presents figures on second-hand smoke exposure and smoking behaviour inside households where children live.  Results indicate that rates of exposure to second-hand smoke in the home have decreased significantly since 2003.  The proportion of households that permit smoking indoors has also decreased significantly.

Reducing exposure to second hand smoke: Changes associated with the implementation of the amended New Zealand Smoke-free Environments Act 1990: 2003-2006 [PDF, 751KB, 33 pages]

This report, for the Ministry of Health, indicates that exposure to second-hand smoke in the workplace has decreased significantly since the implementation of the amended legislation.  It also shows that more New Zealanders than ever support the ban on smoking in pubs, bars and nightclubs.


Deaths attributable to second-hand smoke in New Zealand [PDF, 44KB, 15 pages]

This 2000 report looks at the number of deaths – 388 – caused by exposure to second-hand smoke in New Zealand each year. An updated version of the report, which suggests 345 deaths, has since been published in Tobacco Control (full reference is Woodward A, Laugesen M. (2001). How many deaths are caused by second-hand cigarette smoke? Tobacco Control, 10, 383-8).

The 388 figure represents an additional eight percent over and above deaths due to direct smoking and about three-quarters of the number of people killed each year on the roads in New Zealand in recent years.

Non-fatal illness (morbidity) caused by second-hand smoke in New Zealand [PDF, 84KB, 21 pages]

Second-hand smoke increases the risk of many diseases: children are especially susceptible. Many New Zealanders are still exposed to second-hand smoke despite the progress that has been made in the last 10 years in reducing tobacco use.

The aim of this 2001 report is to estimate the amount of non-fatal illness in New Zealand that is caused by second-hand smoke. To do this, measures of the prevalence of exposure have been combined with estimates of the increase in relative risk of illness due to second-hand smoke and measures of the total burden of illness in New Zealand.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) study [1452 pages, 22 Mb]

A monograph issued in 2004 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified second-hand smoke as a human carcinogen. The report, which reviewed all significant published evidence related to tobacco smoking and cancer, both active smoking and second-hand smoke exposure, estimated that non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke are 20 to 30 percent more likely to develop cancer.

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Attitudes towards second-hand smoke [PDF, 64KB, 23 pages]

This 1999 survey looked at the incidence of workplace smoking restrictions and attitudes toward smoking. The survey analysed the views of 2698 people across New Zealand.

Second-hand smoke: Exposure, attitudes and behaviours: Monitoring trends 1999 to 2004 – preliminary findings

This study aimed to assess whether any changes have occurred over time in key variables relating to second-hand smoke exposure in New Zealand – the study spans five years from 1999 to 2004.

Second-hand smoke exposure increases risk of adult death by 15 percent.

Adults who have never smoked and who live with smokers have a 15 per cent higher risk of death than those living in a smoke-free household, according to the findings of a study conducted by the University of Otago’s Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and published in the British Medical Journal.

Tobacco use among year 10 and 12 students in New Zealand: a report on the Global Youth Tobacco Survey data

A study released in 2004 that includes information on the exposure of year 10 and 12 students to second-hand smoke.

Tobacco tax as a Health Protecting Policy: A brief review of the New Zealand evidence [132 KB PDF]

This 2005 review article reassesses the evidence relating to tobacco taxation as a health and equity protecting policy for New Zealand.

Smoky homes: A review of the exposure and effects of secondhand smoke in New Zealand homes. [159 KB PDF]

This 2005 article reviews the evidence of the exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in New Zealand homes, and the evidence of the effects of that exposure.

Attitudes to and knowledge of secondhand smoke in New Zealand homes and cars. [128 KB PDF]

This 2005 article reviews the evidence on knowledge and attitudes among the New Zealand public concerning secondhand smoke (SHS) and smoking in homes and cars.

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