New Zealand receives Dirty Ashtray award for tobacco control progress

Wednesday 19 November 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Wed 19 Nov 2025, 5:21pm

New Zealand has been given the Dirty Ashtray award at a biennial meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Researchers state the label reflects poor progress in tobacco control, specifically regarding high vaping rates among youth and the undermining of Indigenous tobacco-free goals.

How they headlined it

5:05pm

1. RNZWed 19 Nov 2025, 5:05pm

   New Zealand receives 'Dirty Ashtray' award for poor progress in tobacco control (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesWed 19 Nov 2025, 5:21pm

   'Dirty Ashtray': NZ given unwanted tobacco label (opens in new tab)