The influence of race, religion, occupation and other social factors on cigarette smoking in New Zealand.

Abstract

97% of the New Zealand population 15 years and over (2.1 million persons) responded to a question on cigarette smoking in the 1976 population census. 38% of New Zealand men and 30% of women other than Maoris or Pacific Islanders were cigarette smokers. 56% of Maori men and 59% of Maori women smoked regularly; the corresponding figures for Pacific Islanders, a relatively recent migrant population, were 46% and 24%. In all age groups more Maoris smoked than non-Maoris. More than two-thirds of Maori women aged 20-24 were smokers. Cigarette consumption rates were high; the men and over one third of the women smokers smoked more than 20 cigarette a day. Smoking was higher then expected among Roman Catholics and among those who objected to stating their religion. Those who were divorced or separated had smoking rates 38% to 56% higher than expected. Smoking was inversely related to the level of education attained. Those in the professions were least likely to be smokers (average 27%) whereas at least half those in labouring or unskilled occupations were smokers.