Smoking tobacco causes harm to individuals, families and communities.
Māori are disproportionately affected by smoking with Māori women having the highest smoking rates in the country.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) aims to prevent further harm from tobacco by promoting social, physical and environmental strategies to protect the public.
ARPHS is working towards the goal of having more communal public places that are smokefree and halving the number of places to buy tobacco in Auckland. We are doing this through health promotion and regulatory interventions.
We have designated Smokefree Enforcement Officers who monitor and enforce the Smokefree Environments Act 1990.
Our staff work with other agencies to promote effective legislation, policy and enforcement, using research and evidence to make the case for change.
If you wish to make a complaint about a possible breach of the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990, please contact one of our smokefree officers on (09) 623 4600 ext. 27272.
Our strategic objectives include:
Reducing tobacco-related health inequities
Building and maintaining stakeholder relationships which collaborate on shared goals
Supporting key types of areas that public use to be Smokefree in policy and practice
Championing stronger regulatory mechanisms to limit tobacco supply in Tamaki Makaurau
Collecting and analysing data to inform and monitor our strategic direction.
ARPHS Smokefree Officers investigate complaints in relation to the following matters:
If you wish to make a complaint about a possible breach of the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990, please contact one of our smokefree officers on (09) 623 4600 ext. 27272.
The minimum information required for an investigation to proceed is:
The best thing you can do for your health is be smoke-free and vape free. Vaping:
For more information visit Vaping Facts.
It is currently illegal for anyone to sell vaping products to under 18s, whether online or in person.
Only specialist vape retailers (those who sell over 70% vaping products) are able to sell vape flavours beyond tobacco, menthol and mint. These should not be sold at general retailers such as dairies or service stations.
Vaping is currently not allowed:
Any publically visible vaping advertisement is prohibited in New Zealand, beyond a simple sign advising regulated products are available. This includes international advertisements targeted at Kiwis as well as online advertisements.
We regularly undertake ‘controlled purchase operations’ on premises that sell tobacco products. Controlled purchase operations involve volunteers under the age of 18 years who, within a safe environment, attempt to purchase tobacco products. We use this as a way to educate and teach tobacco retailers on the importance of asking for and checking identification of anyone purchasing tobacco.
Nearly 85% of New Zealanders are smokefree – that means most of us are choosing not to smoke. The New Zealand Government has set a goal so that by 2025 fewer than 5% of New Zealanders will be smokers.
Smokefree 2025 will be achieved by:
ARPHS is aligned with the Government's Smokefree 2025 goal for New Zealand.
For support to stop smoking
Information for professionals
Last updated 22.11.2022