In Fact: Smoking cessation behaviours in the past 12 months: quit attempts and use of support

New Zealand has a goal of reducing smoking prevalence to a minimal level by 2025 (often referred to as ‘Smokefree 2025’).1 This goal is supported by one of the six New Zealand health targets: better help for smokers to quit that is designed to prompt smokers to make a quit attempt and use evidence-based cessation support.2 Cessation support available includes a range of services and products, such as behavioural support (delivered via face-to-face, telephone, internet etc), nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other medicines (including Bupropion, Zyban and Champix).3 The Health Promotion Agency’s (HPA) Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) provides insight into New Zealanders’ tobacco-related behaviours and attitudes, including smoking cessation behaviours. This fact sheet examines smokers’ quit attempts and use of support in the past 12 months.