Creating healthier futures for our tamariki, rangatahi and whānau is a shared responsibility. One way we can all contribute is by helping ensure tobacco and vaping laws are followed in our communities.
Health New Zealand has developed a range of resources to help people recognise and report illegal smoking and vaping activity under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990. By raising concerns when the law is not being followed, communities can help reduce harm and protect future generations from nicotine addiction.
Why this matters for our Tainui waka rohe
Te Tiratū represents more than 121,000 Māori across the Waikato. Despite significant progress in reducing smoking over recent decades, tobacco use continues to have a disproportionate impact on Māori health and contributes to preventable illness, chronic disease and premature mortality.
Nationally, Māori adults are more than twice as likely to smoke daily as the overall population (15.0% compared with 6.8%). Daily vaping is also significantly higher among Māori adults (27.5%), highlighting the importance of supporting evidence-based prevention and cessation initiatives while protecting young people from developing lifelong nicotine dependence.
The picture is particularly important for rangatahi. While youth smoking has declined to historically low levels, vaping remains common among secondary school students, with Māori rangatahi continuing to experience the highest rates. Preventing access to tobacco and vaping products by those under 18 is an important step towards improving long-term health outcomes and reducing inequities experienced by Māori.
Healthy communities are built when tamariki can grow up in environments that support wellbeing, reduce exposure to harmful substances and make healthy choices easier.
What can be reported?
Anyone can report concerns about businesses or individuals who may be breaching New Zealand’s smokefree and vaping legislation, including:
- Selling tobacco or vape products to people under 18 years of age.
- Selling illegally imported or illicit tobacco products.
- Selling prohibited disposable vaping products.
- Displaying or advertising tobacco or vaping products unlawfully.
- Smoking or vaping in smokefree workplaces, restaurants, bars or other regulated public spaces.
- Retailers not complying with the requirements of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.
- Community reporting helps Health New Zealand investigate potential breaches, improve compliance and strengthen protections for everyone.
How to make a complaint
If you are concerned about illegal smoking or vaping activity in your community, you can make a report directly here: https://healthnz.govt.nz/TellUs
We need to curb the rising uptake of vaping products across the Waikato rohe.