New Zealand Smokers’ Perceptions of Tobacco Endgame Measures: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Introduction

New Zealand’s equity-focused endgame goal (Smokefree 2025) aims to reduce smoking prevalence to minimal levels (ie, <5%) in all population groups by 2025. Inadequate progress has stimulated discussion of innovative measures to reduce prevalence; because few studies have explored how marginalized groups perceive these measures, we addressed this knowledge gap.

Aims and Methods

In November and December 2020, we conducted 20 in-depth interviews with people who smoked daily, were aged between 21 and 53, earned less than the median income (NZD33 900), and had marginal or inadequate income sufficiency. We explored participants’ smoking history and used an elicitation exercise to probe their views on smokefree policies, including potential endgame measures. We used qualitative descriptive analysis and reflexive thematic analysis to interpret the data.

Results

Participants favored increasing personal support to quit and reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes, but generally opposed tobacco excise tax increases and paying people to quit. While many privileged their right to “choose,” some recognized that stronger policies could restore the loss of agency addiction caused. Participants felt smoking’s powerful addictiveness remained poorly understood, and called for smoking to be recognized and treated as an addiction.

Conclusions

Several participants supported intensifying existing measures or introducing new measures. However, their use of tobacco industry rhetoric to frame smoking as a choice they had made could inadvertently reinforce the stigma they experienced. Reframing cigarettes as an addictive product engineered by a deceptive industry, may make it easier for participants to access the expanded support and compassion they sought.

Implications

Policy measures, such as reducing the nicotine level in cigarettes, could support endgame goals; however, greater public understanding of addiction is needed to reduce stigma, support self-efficacy, and foster smoking cessation. Industry denormalization campaigns could challenge views of smoking as a personal choice, decrease self-blame among people who smoke, and present endgame goals as likely to enhance agency.