Of the 1247 adults surveyed in the Health Coalition Aotearoa Talbot Mills Research survey, 68% believed the tobacco industry influences government policy, and 55% supported the reintroduction of very low nicotine cigarettes.
Support for expanding access to new nicotine products such as oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) was also limited, with 46% of New Zealanders opposing the retail sale of nicotine pouches and only 33% supporting it.
Concern about the impact of these products on young people was high, with 57% of respondents saying retail availability of nicotine pouches would increase youth uptake.
University of Otago Aspire Aotearoa Research Centre co-director Janet Hoek said public health researchers had raised concerns ‘‘for some time’’, that the coalition government was not taking an evidence-based approach to tobacco control policy.
‘‘Just as quick examples, Shane Jones reportedly ‘took soundings’ from a Philip Morris executive; the reduction in excise tax on heated tobacco products had no evidential grounding; and plans to introduce oral nicotine products also lack evidence.
‘‘The survey makes it clear that concerns about who, or what, is shaping policy are not confined to academic researchers — they are also widely held by members of the public.
‘‘It’s particularly interesting to note that two thirds of National voters (66%) and nearly three quarters of Act voters (72%) thought the tobacco industry had ‘‘some’’ or ‘‘a great deal’’ of influence on ‘‘how the NZ government regulates tobacco and nicotine products’’ — even 59% of NZ First voters held this view.
‘‘These results raise important questions about the integrity of political decisions and align with findings from the Cancer Society’s Tobacco Industry Interference Index released last November, which reported that New Zealand had fallen from second in 2023, to 53rd in 2025.’’
Prof Hoek said the results also stood in sharp contrast to New Zealand’s obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
‘‘Article 5.3 calls on governments to protect policy from the vested interests of the tobacco industry.’’
She said it also showed support for a low nicotine tobacco policy was strong.
More than half of those polled (55%) supported reintroducing the low nicotine policy that randomised controlled trials and modelling indicated would bring about very large and equitable reductions in smoking prevalence.
‘‘That figure was more than twice the proportion of people who opposed reintroducing this policy,’’ she said.
A majority of National and NZ First voters supported reintroducing this measure, which again queries the government’s mandate for repealing this policy.
Prof Hoek said there was low support for expanding access to oral nicotine pouches.
‘‘Tobacco companies have strongly promoted alternative nicotine products as an option for people who smoke.
‘‘The government’s decision to lower excise taxes on heated tobacco products aligned with tobacco companies’ arguments, as does their stated intention to introduce oral nicotine products.’’
Numerous groups - including Aspire Aotearoa and Health Coalition Aotearoa - have opposed expanding access to oral nicotine products, and the survey made it clear the public shared their concerns.
‘‘Act voters were the only group where support for expanding access to ONPs exceeded opposition.
‘‘More than half (57%) thought allowing ONPs would see youth use increase. Only 24% thought increased youth use was unlikely.’’
Prof Hoek said the coalition government had not followed robust evidence or experts’ advice.
The survey also showed they were ignoring their constituents’ voices.
‘‘The survey findings highlight concerns about the lack of transparency in policy making, the covert influence large corporations exert, and the resounding failure to protect policy from tobacco industry influence.
‘‘The results show people want robust policy to reduce smoking and protect young people from nicotine addiction, yet the coalition government’s decisions have prioritised tobacco industry interests over public preferences.’’
