Majority of Professionals in NZ support cig alternatives
A majority of healthcare professionals in New Zealand view Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, as a viable alternative to cigarettes if they are legalised and regulated appropriately, according to new research conducted by Frost & Sullivan.
Over 500 adults in New
Zealand (including current, former and non-smokers), as well
as 60 healthcare professionals (including GPs, medical
specialists (such as psychiatrists, surgeons and
radiologists), nurses, pharmacists, and allied healthcare
professionals) were interviewed as part of an opinion
research study to gauge the level of understanding and
attitudes towards alternatives to cigarettes
.
New
Zealand has moved to reduce smoking rates in recent decades,
and currently boasts one of the lowest smoking rates in the
developed world. However, almost 600,000 New Zealanders
continue to smoke, with particularly high smoking rates
among population groups such as Māori and the most
economically-disadvantaged New Zealanders.
While the Government has set a target of achieving a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025, with a smoking rate of 5% or less nationwide, achieving this goal is likely to be challenging. Smoking is therefore likely to continue to be a significant health and economic challenge for New Zealanders.
Managing Director of Frost & Sullivan ANZ, Mark Dougan noted: “Smoking is still a key area of concern amongst healthcare professionals, with 90% believing that the government still needs to do more to address smoking. Our research shows that there is broad acceptance that ENDS are significantly less harmful than cigarettes, and widespread agreement amongst healthcare professionals that ENDS should be legalised as long as they are appropriately regulated.”
Healthcare professionals are largely supportive of the use of ENDS, with 65% agreeing that they would prefer smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit to switch to these instead of smoking cigarettes, with 33% unsure and only 2% opposed.
“In general, healthcare professionals believe that tobacco harm reduction products such as ENDS can aid in reducing the harm from smoking,” Mr Dougan said.
“Our survey indicates that 60% of smokers overall and 64% of Māori smokers would like to quit, but are facing challenges in doing so, with current smokers who have tried to quit reporting, on average, over six unsuccessful attempts to do so,” he added.
“However, about 40% of smokers
do not wish to quit or are not sure. In this case, switching
to tobacco harm reduction products is a better option in the
long term than continuing to smoke cigarettes,” he
said.
The survey also showed that healthcare
professionals believe that greater promotion and raising
awareness of the role of ENDS to both healthcare
professionals and smokers and their families is
necessary.
For more information or to download the
report, please visit http://frost.ly/3ej
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This research was
commissioned by Philip Morris International, however the
analysis contained in this research reflects the views of
Frost & Sullivan analysts without any bias or influence from
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