The latest Ministry of Health report about Kiwis’ tobacco use shows overwhelmingly that most smokers want to quit, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia said, in a media statement. The report, published in November 2009, presents the quitting results of 15 to 64-year-olds from the 2008 New Zealand Tobacco Use Survey. “What is really striking is that 80% of smokers said they regretted having started to smoke and, if they had their time over again, they would not smoke,” Mrs Turia said. The results showed Maori who smoked, and smokers living in the most deprived areas, were more likely than others to be receiving help from healthcare workers. The results also showed 40% of those who had recently tried to quit said they found cigarette and tobacco displays in dairies, petrol stations, supermarkets and convenience stores made it more difficult to quit. “With 5000 New Zealanders dying each year from a smoking-related illness, we need to ensure people get the help they need to quit and stay smokefree,” Mrs Turia said. Read the full report: 2008 New Zealand Tobacco Use Survey: Quitting Results