By Chris Bullen.

The new government is ‘laser-focused’ on reducing the cost of living and on delivering outcomes for New Zealanders. What better way to deliver positive economic and health outcomes –  saving money now and for generations to come – than to accelerate the decline in smoking by tightening the screws on the availability and addictiveness of tobacco?  Smoking rates have declined impressively over recent years. However, there is more to be done. Significant inequities remain in smoking prevalence between ethnic and socioeconomic groups, and the Smokefree 2025 target of smoking prevalence across all population groups is at risk of being missed. The government should apply the full force of a comprehensive package of policies and programmes that support people who smoke to quit and non-smokers not to start. A laser focus on reducing smoking for all New Zealanders should be at the top of the government’s next 100 days