In 2010, although around one in five (19%) New Zealanders were daily smokers, people overestimated the proportion of New Zealanders who smoke. The average estimate was two in five (40%) New Zealanders. Māori, Pacific and Asian people, current smokers, people living in areas of high deprivation status, young people, females, and people without formal qualifications were more likely to overestimate the proportion of New Zealanders who smoke daily.
Methodology
All respondents were asked: “Out of 100 adults in New Zealand, how many do you think smoke cigarettes or tobacco? By this we mean they smoke cigarettes or tobacco at least once a day.” Means (average) estimates were calculated to compare responses by:
• Smoking status (current smokers: those who smoked at least monthly, and past smokers: those who had ever smoked but did not smoke at the time of the survey, compared with never smokers).
• Ethnicity (M ori, Pacific, and Asian people, compared with people of European/ Other ethnicity).
• Neighbourhood deprivation status (high: NZDep2006 8-10 and medium: NZDep2006 4-7, compared with low: NZDep2006 1-3).
• Age (25-34 years, 35-54 years, and 55 + years, compared with 15-24 years).
• Gender.
• Educational background (no formal qualifications, School Certificate/NCEA level 1, and UE/NCEA levels 2-3/trade certificates, compared with university qualifications). Statistically significant differences (p<.05) are reported.