On this page I will discuss the findings of my study.
While studying New South Wales and Ontario for policy transfer cases I found several smoking cessation policies that could be effectively transferred to New Zealand.
Banning Smoking in Vehicles While Young Children are in the Passenger Seats:
This policy was introduced in Ontario several years ago. It is a viable candidate for policy transfer because it would cost little to introduce (there is no need for a particular program to be introduced by the government – simply a series of televised and radio advertisements) and would be well received by the public. This policy would help reduce the rate of smoking – adults may find it the final incentive to quit smoking, as a result of guilt stemming from the advertising.
More Health Professionals Working on Tobacco-Related Problems and in the Healthcare System:
In New South Wales there is particular funding set aside for extra health care professionals. This is also a key component of NSW’s anti smoking campaign. While this would be quite expensive to introduce into New Zealand, I believe it would be very effective. The continual rise in price of tobacco products could be used, in part, to pay for the expansion of the healthcare system. By having more professionals available to work with those who are sick or those who are trying to quit smoking, overall tobacco use will be reduced, as will the harm caused by tobacco use.
Targeting at Risk Groups with their Own Bilingual Advisors and Programs:
Another key component of the New South Wales cessation campaign is the extra funding and manpower allocated to working with the indigenous population of Australia, who, like Maori in New Zealand, are far heavier users of tobacco than most people in New South Wales. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health could allocate funding and extra manpower to work exclusively with the Maori population. These workers (like those in NSW) would be bi-lingual and in as many cases as possible, of Maori descent themselves. This would be accepted by the Maori population and seen in a favourable light – that the government of New Zealand is actively attempting to curb smoking rates amongst Maori. Admittedly this program could cost large amounts of money, but it would be worthwhile – Maori smoking rates are very high.
Overall, I believe these three policies would be effective in New Zealand. As with any new policy, the biggest hindrance to the introduction of these policies would be cost. But, in the long term, the introduction of these new policies would curb the rates of smoking amongst the New Zealand population, saving large amounts of money due to less people requiring tobacco-caused healthcare. This, I believe, offsets the cost of introducing these policies.