New Zealand tobacco sales fall by over 20 percent in 2025

New Zealand tobacco sales have seen a significant decline, with the volume of tobacco sold falling by more than 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. Since 2010, the volume of tobacco sold in the country has reduced by two-thirds, and the number of cigarettes sold per capita has decreased by nearly 80 percent.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello noted that while the decline is consistent with long-term falling smoking rates, the accelerated drop in legal tobacco sales may be linked to the availability of black-market cigarettes. To address this, the government is coordinating efforts between Customs, Police, Health New Zealand, and the Ministry of Health to combat the illegal tobacco trade.

The government’s strategy to reduce smoking harm focuses on three areas: cracking down on illegal sales, preventing youth smoking, and supporting current smokers in quitting. Recent law changes include banning disposable vapes, implementing display restrictions, and increasing penalties for underage sales.