Smoking

Nationwide supply problems with high strength nicotine patches has caused a headache for some Dunedin pharmacies.

In the year 2025 any smokers still drawing breath will find their habit on the edge of extinction. At least, that is the plan being promoted by "Aspire 2025" - a group of experts led by a professor of medicine from the University of Otago. Mark Price reports.

A policy banning smoking on the streets of Auckland has been rejected by the council.

The maker of Marlboro cigarettes has bought the rights to a tobacco-free "cigarette" which a New Zealand researcher says will not kill its smokers.

They will not be the health police but they may save your life, visiting British tobacco cessation specialist Jennifer Percival says.

Four shops in the Waitaki district are facing possible prosecution and fines up to $2000 after allegedly being caught selling cigarettes to under 18-year-olds during a campaign last week.

Tobacco displays in shops look set to be banned next year in what some hope is the beginning of the end for tobacco sales in New Zealand.

Smoking areas linked to three secure wards at Wakari Hospital will be retained, but four other outdoor smoking areas will be phased out.

Moves to ban all smoking on hospital premises faltered yesterday when the Southern District Health Board voted against smoke-free mental health services.

A bid to extend smokefree status to include psychiatric patients will be presented at a Southern District Health Board committee today.