Aotearoa's drop on the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index w/ The University of Auckland's Chris Bullen: 17 November, 2025

Last week saw the release of the Global Tobacco Interference Index. In it, Aotearoa ranked 53rd in the world - a whopping 52 places down from two years ago.

This ranking two years ago was reflective of our robust anti-smoking laws - since the current coalition government has repealed them, however, that reputation has come seriously into question. These rankings now serve as a warning about the role that the tobacco industry plays in health policy, and New Zealand’s failure to manage smoking and tobacco lobbying.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland, Chris Bullen, about the ranking, Tobacco influence in the government, and what it says about Smoking in New Zealand as a whole.