The Briefing

Government struggling with evidence: HTPs, addiction levels, and Smokefree 2025

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has argued that halving the excise tax on heated tobacco products would see 7,200 “hardcore smokers” stop smoking however recent studies have questioned the logic and evidence for 'hardening', with a recent systematic review concluding that smoking is instead 'softening'.
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Issue date

10 October 2024

Author(s)

Janet Hoek Andrew Waa Jude Ball Richard Edwards Anna Graham-DeMello

Aotearoa’s perinatal and maternal death rates remain inequitable and unjust

There has been no significant decrease in all-cause perinatal mortality over the years of 2006-2021 according to the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee’s 16th Annual Report. This Briefing explores the key findings of the report.
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Issue date

22 August 2024

Author(s)

Rose Elder John Tait Liza Edmonds Claire MacDonald Robin Cronin Pauline Dawson
Proposed Emissions Reduction Plan: A weak response to a weak target

The government’s second greenhouse gas ‘Emissions Reduction Plan” lacks the ambition and direction that is needed to reach its target and there will be consequences for our population’s health.
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Issue date

20 August 2024

Author(s)

Simon Hales Marnie Prickett John Kerr Sara Walton Ralph Sims Michael Baker
Alcohol-related harms now available on demand

Alcohol on demand is growing in Aotearoa and with it, the potential for further alcohol-related harm and inequities. Currently, on-demand services are operating in a regulatory grey zone.
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Issue date

15 August 2024

Author(s)

Shauni Burke Christine Roseveare
Can oral tobacco and nicotine products help people to stop smoking?

The sale of oral nicotine and tobacco products in NZ has been approved in principle. But it is unclear whether these products help people quit smoking and there is potential for them to have unintended adverse impacts.
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Issue date

13 August 2024

Author(s)

Janine Nip Jude Ball Janet Hoek Richard Edwards Michaela Pettie Melissa-Jade Gregan
Parliamentary voting for smokefree over two decades: Implications for future progress

The recent repeal of smokefree legislation occurred despite evidence of strong support for the key measures among the public. To provide political context for NZ smokefree policies, this Briefing examines the Parliamentary voting record on 10 relevant laws since 2003.
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Issue date

06 August 2024

Author(s)

Richard Edwards George Thomson Adele Broadbent Nick Wilson
Covid-19 vaccines still protect us: How do we get the best out of them?

International evidence shows that even during the Omicron era, Covid-19 vaccines continue to provide protection against infection, hospitalisation, death, and Long Covid, as well as improving outcomes during pregnancy
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Issue date

01 August 2024

Author(s)

John D Potter Michael Baker Joan Ingram
New Zealand’s hard-won improvements to our Building Code must be retained: Here’s why

Any rollback of our insulation standards will cost industry, energy savings and our health. Evidence shows the health and social benefits of insulation are nearly six times greater than the costs.
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Issue date

29 July 2024

Author(s)

Lucy Telfar Barnard Andrew Eagles Arthur Grimes Philippa Howden-Chapman Robyn Phipps Helen Viggers
Contradictions surround Government’s move to slash tax on heated tobacco products

The Assoc Minister of Health’s decision to slash the excise tax on heated tobacco products (HTPs) goes against expert advice and contradicts the stance she took when recently repealing the smokefree legislation.
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Issue date

24 July 2024

Author(s)

Janet Hoek Anna Graham-DeMello Melissa Jade Gregan Anaru Waa Richard Edwards
Increasing whooping cough cases put pēpi at risk. What can be done about it?

Ensuring equitable access to pertussis immunisation during pregnancy and intensifying efforts for universal infant enrolment and engagement with primary care by six weeks is recommended as whooping cough cases rise.
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Issue date

23 July 2024

Author(s)

Nikki Turner Emily Dwight Peter McIntyre Amber Young Emma Best Mamaeroa David Edwin Reynolds Michael Baker
Mind the gap: Associate Health Minister’s actions conflict with Ministry advice, align with tobacco industry lobbying

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello’s recent tobacco policy recommendations conflict with official advice, aligning instead with tobacco lobbyists' talking points, according to an analysis of recently released documents.
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Issue date

18 July 2024

Author(s)

Janet Hoek Jude Ball Andrew Waa Anna Graham-DeMello Richard Edwards Melissa-Jade Gregan

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