Cigarette laws & smoking
New Zealand has laws about buying and smoking cigarettes. To be safe and have a great experience, you must follow the law while you’re studying here. Find out what the law is.
Smoking culture
It’s expensive to smoke in New Zealand because our Government taxes tobacco at a high rate to encourage people not to smoke. For example, the price of one packet of 20 Marlboro cigarettes in Auckland is around $40NZD.
Of course, there are still a lot of Kiwis who smoke, but that number is quickly decreasing with law changes being one reason why.
Vaping (smoking e-cigarettes)(external link that opens in a new tab) is relatively new in New Zealand. Vaping is legal in New Zealand if you are 18 years or older.
Cigarette and smoking laws
You can buy and smoke cigarettes in New Zealand only if you are 18 years old or older. This applies to e-cigarettes (vaping products) too. The government has indicated they want New Zealand to have more vaping-specific laws and regulations. These are currently being written.
New Zealand has a Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 that:
- requires indoor workplaces to be smoke free, including restaurants and bars. This only applies to cigarettes, not e-cigarettes (vaping). However, individual employers and business owners can decide if they want e-cigarettes (vaping) to be banned in their workplace.
- limits tobacco advertising and promotion.
- restricts the sale of tobacco products to those under 18 years of age.
- does not allow the sale of single cigarettes and packs of fewer than 20 cigarettes.
- requires buildings and grounds of schools and early childhood centres to be smoke-free.
- requires cigarette packs to have graphic health warnings (you will see graphic pictures showing the harmful health effects of smoking).
- puts in place a high tobacco tax to encourage them to smoke less.
On 10 December 2004, New Zealand became the third country in the world to make all indoor workplaces smoke-free, including bars and restaurants. We aim to be completely smoke-free by 2025!
The law exists to:
- protect everyone from second-hand smoke (smoke that you inhale by being near a person that is smoking).
- reduce the health problems and deaths caused by smoking.
- prevent smoking’s negative influences on young people (cigarettes are often called the 'gateway' to taking drugs, meaning they can be an introduction to harmful substances).
- promote a smoke-free lifestyle as a regular part of life in New Zealand.
Tip: You can still smoke when you’re walking around your town or city, just don’t smoke where there are ‘No Smoking’ signs.
If you want to quit smoking, you can find out how through a programme called Quitline(external link that opens in a new tab) that offers support and resources. You can phone them on 0800 778 778 or get support by texting 4006.
You’ll have a better, healthier experience in New Zealand if you don’t smoke!
Related pages
Alcohol
What is the drinking age in New Zealand? To be safe and have a great experience, you must follow the alcohol laws while you’re studying here. Find out what they are and how to drink alcohol responsibly.
Getting healthcare in New Zealand
While you're studying in New Zealand, you might get sick or need medical treatment. Here’s information about healthcare for international students so that you stay well in New Zealand.
Check out this budget planner
A budget can help you to feel in control of what you spend your money on.
Check out this budget planner(external link that opens in a new tab)