Support for and potential impacts of key Smokefree 2025 strategies among Maori who smoke.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The recently passed Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act has the potential to profoundly reduce smoking prevalence and related health inequities experienced among Maori. This study examined support for, and potential impacts of, key measures included within the legislation. METHOD: Data came from Wave 1 (2017-2019) of the Te Ara Auahi Kore longitudinal study, which was conducted in partnership with five primary health organisations serving Maori communities. Participants were 701 Maori who smoked. Analysis included both descriptive analysis and logistic regression. RESULTS: More Maori participants supported than did not support the Smokefree 2025 (SF2025) goal of reducing smoking prevalence to below 5%, and the key associated measures. Support was greatest for mandating very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs). Participants also believed VLNCs would prompt high rates of quitting. Participants who had made more quit attempts or reported less control over their life were more likely to support VLNCs. CONCLUSION: There was support for the SF2025 goal and for key measures that could achieve it. In particular, VLNCs may have significant potential to reduce smoking prevalence among Maori. As part of developing and implementing these measures it will be important to engage with Maori who smoke and their communities.