In HPA's Health and Lifestyles Survey all respondents (aged 15+ years) were asked to estimate the number of New Zealand adults who smoked daily (as perceived prevalence of smoking can help assess whether or not tobacco use is seen as a normal behaviour). The daily smoking rate in New Zealand was 18% in 2006/07 and 17% in 2011/12. Results showed that respondents tended to over-estimate the prevalence of smoking among New Zealand adults, with 83% of respondents thinking that prevalence was more than 17%. In fact, 30% of the respondents believed at least half of the adult population smoke daily.
Methodology
To understand New Zealanders’ perceptions of how common smoking is, respondents in the 2010 and 2012 Health and Lifestyles Survey were asked to estimate the proportion of New Zealand adults who smoke daily. Responses to this question from the 2012 survey were compared by smoking status, ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation status, age, gender, and educational background. Statistically significant differences by group (p < .05) are reported. Responses collected from the 2010 and 2012 HLS were also compared.
Key Results
- In 2012, 83% of New Zealand adults over-estimated the prevalence of daily smoking.
- In 2012, 30% of New Zealand adults thought at least half the adult population in New Zealand smoked daily.
- Compared with 2010, respondents in 2012 gave lower estimates on how prevalent smoking is among adult New Zealanders. This finding was in spite of the lack of change in the actual smoking rate during that time period.