Public Health Communication Centre

#JUULGATE Nicotine industry documents highlight the need for greater transparency in public health policy Thousands of documents released through lawsuits against vaping company JUUL raise serious questions about the influence tobacco and vaping companies have had on public health policy.

Thousands of internal JUUL documents reveal how tobacco companies sought to influence NZ public health policy, including supplying draft policies and talking points. Public health researchers say it's time for a formal inquiry. @janethoek.bsky.social #JUULGATE tinyurl.com/34b3z75h

#JUULGATE Nicotine industry documents highlight the need for greater transparency in public health policy Thousands of documents released through lawsuits against vaping company JUUL raise serious questions about the influence tobacco and vaping companies have had on public health policy.

Our latest @phcc.bsky.social Briefing, led by @janethoek.bsky.social highlights apparent breaches of FCTC article 5.3 and calls for a public inquiry. 'Friendly' engagement between politicians and the tobacco industry are not OK!! #JUULGATE | PHCC share.google/wkTRP088Gs9L...

Evidence supports the need to protect adolescents from social media harms Political decision-makers now have a strong enough evidence base for action on social media harms for youth: delay access.

Read the Briefing here from Dr Samantha Marsh at the University of Auckland. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/evi...

In our latest Briefing - a call for social media platforms to introduce enforced age limits, to help protect young people from harm.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Evidence supports the need to protect adolescents from social media harms Political decision-makers now have a strong enough evidence base for action on social media harms for youth: delay access.

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Evidence is mounting: social media use is linked to increased depression, anxiety, and sleep disruption in young people. Delaying access through age limits can reduce the harm. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/evi...

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Comparing the Covid-19 response and major outcomes in island nations Taking early and strong action helped high-income island countries like New Zealand and Australia do better in both health and the economy during Covid-19.

What worked best in the pandemic❔ New research shows early, decisive action paid off for island nations like NZ and Australia.

www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/com...

Prolonged Campylobacter epidemic from chicken meat needs a strong industry and regulatory response Chicken contaminated with Campylobacter continues to cause illness and deaths in Aotearoa, reflecting long-term regulatory failure.

Fresh chicken meat remains NZ’s biggest foodborne health risk, responsible for 77% of Campylobacter cases. Regulation halved rates once before. It’s time to act again. #Campylobacter #FoodSafety
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pro...

Prolonged Campylobacter epidemic from chicken meat needs a strong industry and regulatory response Chicken contaminated with Campylobacter continues to cause illness and deaths in Aotearoa, reflecting long-term regulatory failure.

Read the full Briefing outlining how chicken contaminated with Campylobacter continues to cause illness and deaths in Aotearoa, and why it reflects long-term regulatory failure.
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pro...

Four die each year from campylobacter: Study Figures provided in a just released study show since 2008 there have been an average of 36,500 symptomatic cases of campylobacter each year, 535 people on average are hospitalized annually and four pe...

Are we doing enough to protect people against Campylobacter in NZ? Our latest Briefing has new analysis that suggests we could do more. www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

Government cannot achieve “enduring freshwater policy” by siding with narrow commercial interests The Government’s proposed changes to national freshwater policy favour the interests of narrow commercial and agricultural groups at the expense of other sectors.

The Government is proposing to remove protections for drinking water in its proposed national freshwater plan. The proposals align with the demands of polluting industries over communities. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/gov...

Government cannot achieve “enduring freshwater policy” by siding with narrow commercial interests The Government’s proposed changes to national freshwater policy favour the interests of narrow commercial and agricultural groups at the expense of other sectors.

Te Mana o te Wai puts people and ecosystems before polluters. The Government wants to scrap it to satisfy narrow commercial interests. What’s wrong with the Government’s Freshwater National Direction proposals? #publichealth
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/gov...

WHO launches bold push to raise health taxes and save millions of lives The World Health Organization (WHO) today has launched a major new initiative urging countries to raise real prices on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035 through health taxes,...

The World Health Organization @who.int has launched a major new initiative urging countries to raise real prices on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035 through health taxes in a move designed to curb chronic diseases and generate critical public revenue. tinyurl.com/4dvrhnfj

Can people who smoke make truly informed choices? Opinion from Otago University: Recent comments about the Govt's role in reducing smoking argue it should do no more than ensure people know the dangers of smoking. But what does that actually mean?

Can people who smoke make truly informed choices? @janethoek.bsky.social @judeball.bsky.social @newsroom.co.nz #tobaccocontrol #publichealth
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/03/c...

Rebuilding Aotearoa’s statistical foundation: Toward fairer outcomes for Pacific Peoples Pacific peoples are consistently undercounted in Aotearoa’s official statistics. Stats NZ’s shift to using existing records to replace the census threatens to deepen inequities in health, services, an...

News out today that the traditional census in Aotearoa is to be scrapped. But will using existing data be equitable, especially for the undercounted and underserved Pacific peoples? #publichealth #pacifichealth #equity
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/reb...

Rebuilding Aotearoa’s statistical foundation: Toward fairer outcomes for Pacific Peoples Pacific peoples are consistently undercounted in Aotearoa’s official statistics. Stats NZ’s shift to using existing records to replace the census threatens to deepen inequities in health, services, an...

Pacific peoples are consistently undercounted in NZ’s population data, distorting funding services and health outcomes. The shift to using existing records to replace the census risks deepening these inequities. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/reb...

Major vaping reforms: Will they deliver on public health aims? New laws coming into effect this week could mark an important step toward reducing youth vaping in Aotearoa New Zealand, but rigorous enforcement is essential.

New laws coming into effect tomorrow in #NZ could mark a critical step toward reducing youth vaping; however, a comprehensive approach would include supporting young people to quit and limiting vape stores, especially near schools.
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/maj...

New vape rules need ‘rigorous enforcement’ Disposable vapes will outlawed from Tuesday, alongside restrictions on advertising, loyalty schemes and discounting. But that will only go so far towards reducing the problem of underage use, public h...

"If these measures are going to work, the Government needs to implement robust enforcement and monitoring to ensure the law delivers on its promise.” @judeball.bsky.social @janethoek.bsky.social @predwards.bsky.social www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3607...

If passed, the Regulatory Standards Bill risks undermining core government functions: protecting public health, minimising harm, promoting sustainability, and acting in the public interest.
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/reg...

Regulatory Standards Bill threatens the public interest, public health and Māori rights Public policy and law experts urge New Zealanders to oppose the Regulatory Standards Bill, warning that it excludes key public values like health, wellbeing and environmental protection.

The Regulatory Standards Bill would lock in a narrow, libertarian view of “good legislation”, sidelining public health, environmental protection & Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Submissions close 23 June. #StopRSB
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/reg...

Tighter controls on vape marketing due, but gaps remain New vaping legislation coming into effect on 17 June will tighten controls on vape product marketing and help reduce their appeal to young people, but the Government should do more to reduce vape stor...

Promotions like giveaways, games & referral rewards have helped normalise vaping among young people. From 17 June, new rules clamp down on marketing but vape companies are already exploiting loopholes. We need stronger action. @janethoek.bsky.social
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/tig...

Changes to freshwater policy written with, and for polluters OPINION: If adopted, these changes will make it profoundly more difficult for us to address our severe freshwater problems.

"One of the Coalition’s most dangerous proposals is to remove the existing prioritisation of the health of waterways and protection of people’s drinking water." #publichealth
www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...

Changes to freshwater policy written with, and for polluters OPINION: If adopted, these changes will make it profoundly more difficult for us to address our severe freshwater problems.

"One of the Coalition’s most dangerous proposals is to remove the existing prioritisation of the health of waterways and protection of people’s drinking water." #[publichealth
www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...

Depression and anxiety increase dementia risk by 30-40 percent, study finds Researchers say anxiety and depression are on the rise, while dementia rates are projected to double by 2050.

Depression and anxiety increase dementia risk by 30-40 percent, study finds. . www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Prevention and treatment of mental disorders will help reduce dementia New research adds to growing evidence showing mental health disorders significantly raise the risk of dementia in Aotearoa New Zealand. It highlights the urgent need for early, sustained, and populati...

New NZ research @aucklanduni.bsky.social shows depression, anxiety & bipolar disorder significantly raise dementia risk. Policy focus on prevention & access to care is urgently needed. #HealthPolicy #DementiaPrevention
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pre...

Prevention and treatment of mental disorders will help reduce dementia New research adds to growing evidence showing mental health disorders significantly raise the risk of dementia in Aotearoa New Zealand. It highlights the urgent need for early, sustained, and populati...

New research shows mental health disorders like depression, anxiety & bipolar disorder significantly raise dementia risk, yet unmet mental health need in NZ keeps rising. Prevention & treatment now can protect brain health later.
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pre...

Social contract needed to deliver a 'no BS' public health agenda Government Budgets need to move beyond a financial focus toward a future-focused economic approach that prioritises the capacity and capability of the nation’s productive resources, including people, ...

Time to rethink the Government Budget.
It's not just about money—it's about how we use people, infrastructure, and ecosystems to build a better future. @ganeshahirao.bsky.social
#PublicHealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/soc...

Social contract needed to deliver a 'no BS' public health agenda Government Budgets need to move beyond a financial focus toward a future-focused economic approach that prioritises the capacity and capability of the nation’s productive resources, including people, ...

“There’s no money” isn’t economics, it’s accounting. A real Budget debate asks: are we investing our limited resources in what truly matters for future generations? #NZBudget #PublicHealth @ganeshahirao.bsky.social
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/soc...

Disposable vapes: An emerging environmental health threat Waste from single-use disposable vaping devices is becoming a growing environmental and public health threat, both globally and in Aotearoa New Zealand. A dedicated system is urgently needed to manage...

Noticed discarded vapes on the streets of Aotearoa? They're complex waste. Producer responsibility and strong recycling systems are needed. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/dis...

YouTube video by David Kendall POST BUDGET BREAKFAST: Budget 2025: Leading us where?

In case you missed it. Watch the Post-Budget Breakfast: Leading us where? St Peter’s on Willis Social Justice Group,
Child Poverty Action Group, and PHA Wellington Branch.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y32i...