Disparities related to the age of smoking initiation and transition into daily smoking in New Zealand

Understanding trends and disparities related to the age of smoking initiation and transition into daily smoking is important for monitoring the progress of tobacco control strategies.

This report explores the age of smoking initiation and transition into daily smoking using a nationally representative sample of New Zealanders aged 15 years and over (the 2018 Health and Lifestyles Survey, HLS). The study examined the mean age of smoking initiation and transition into daily smoking as a whole and by age, gender, ethnicity and deprivation status. This study also compared results over time.