Pacific people represent over 20 ethnicities comprising almost 7% of New Zealand's population Pacific people suffer inequalities from being over represented in all deprivation categories Pacific people are second only to Maori in adult smoking rates, with 29% smokers (Maori 46%) Pacific Tobacco Control Action Plan 2005 aims to reduce tobacco prevalence by raising awareness of tobacco issues among Pacific people, developing tobacco control advocacy and coordination on a national level, increasing funding to address Pacific tobacco control issues

Strategy: Strategies supporting the Pacific Tobacco Control Action Plan Smoking cessation training for health professionals National call centre cessation services Smokefree promotion within health, community and church settings Advocating tobacco issues Smokefree projects and activities including: World Smokefree celebrations, Reducing Smoking Initiation, Keeping Kids Smokefree, Community health promotion events Pacific tobacco control providers Pacific Islands Heartbeat Programme, the Heart Foundation Smokefree Pasifika Action Network Quit Group Auckland University Pacific health researchers Community health providers

Conclusion: Immediate action must be taken to support Pacific tobacco control to address increasing smoking rates There is unanimous agreement for a national voice on Pacific tobacco control Urgent need to increase tobacco control researchers, workforce capacity, funding and resource materials