Disparities in maternal smoking rates continue to decrease

Posted 8 months ago by Kirsty Craig Less than a minute to read

We have recently published an update to our 'Maternal Smoking at two weeks postnatal' surveillance report.

Maternal smoking rates at two weeks postnatal have decreased from 13.7% in 2009 to 7.3% in 2021.
The gap in smoking rates between Māori mothers and other ethnic groups continues to decrease. Smoking rates among Māori mothers have declined from 32.2% in 2009 to 19.5% in 2021.
Maternal smoking rates have dropped by more than 30% across most health districts between 2009 and 2021, particularly in Tairāwhiti.

Read more on second-hand smoke exposure here.