Janet Hoek
@janethoek.bsky.social
Public health academic, formerly marketing prof and medievalist. Went from the dark ages to the dark side before seeing the light.
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Smoking quit rates stall in NZ. @janethoek.bsky.social @predwards.bsky.social
#PublicHealth #TobaccoControl
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/smo...
#PublicHealth #TobaccoControl
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/smo...
Smoking prevalence and trends: Important findings from the 2024-25 New Zealand Health Survey
Daily smoking rates in Aotearoa have stalled at about 6.8% for three years, with persistent inequities and widening gender gaps indicating the Smokefree 2025 goal will not be met.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 26, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Smoking quit rates stall in NZ. @janethoek.bsky.social @predwards.bsky.social
#PublicHealth #TobaccoControl
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/smo...
#PublicHealth #TobaccoControl
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/smo...
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Doctors and parents should make decisions about what is best for their kids health - not politicians. The Government has said doctors cannot give new prescriptions of puberty blockers to children who are suffering from gender dysphoria. That is putting kids at risk.
November 22, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Doctors and parents should make decisions about what is best for their kids health - not politicians. The Government has said doctors cannot give new prescriptions of puberty blockers to children who are suffering from gender dysphoria. That is putting kids at risk.
Reposted by Janet Hoek
November 22, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Costello said: "I can give 100 percent assurance, I have been completely transparent in everything, my diary is fully released, every meeting, every paper has been released and every piece of work I have continued to engage." Is that why the Ombudsman had to intervene and require release of papers?
November 20, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Costello said: "I can give 100 percent assurance, I have been completely transparent in everything, my diary is fully released, every meeting, every paper has been released and every piece of work I have continued to engage." Is that why the Ombudsman had to intervene and require release of papers?
On Morning Report, Costello said "And the evidence that reduced nicotine levels is effective? There is no evidence." www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa... That statement is completely incorrect. There are randomised controlled trials that show the opposite.
'Absolutely ludicrous': Casey Costello defends plunge in global tobacco control ranking
New Zealand has gone from second in the world to 53rd in a major tobacco control index.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 10:16 PM
On Morning Report, Costello said "And the evidence that reduced nicotine levels is effective? There is no evidence." www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa... That statement is completely incorrect. There are randomised controlled trials that show the opposite.
Reposted by Janet Hoek
The Dirty Ashtray award pulls no punches.
Not that our current CoC government will pay any attention to it.
Not that our current CoC government will pay any attention to it.
November 19, 2025 at 3:27 AM
The Dirty Ashtray award pulls no punches.
Not that our current CoC government will pay any attention to it.
Not that our current CoC government will pay any attention to it.
Reposted by Janet Hoek
From lauded global leaders to the Dirty Ashtray Award.
Our National-led coalition government in one sentence.
#nzpol
Our National-led coalition government in one sentence.
#nzpol
Government's appalling track record in health just got international recognition. NZ delegation at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control meeting in Geneva received the Dirty Ashtray award. www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroo...
Global meeting awards Aotearoa New Zealand ‘Dirty Ashtray’ award
Last night’s award of a ‘Dirty Ashtray’, a civil society award, to the New Zealand Government shows Aotearoa is now attracting international attention for all the wrong reasons, tobacco control resear...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 19, 2025 at 12:26 AM
From lauded global leaders to the Dirty Ashtray Award.
Our National-led coalition government in one sentence.
#nzpol
Our National-led coalition government in one sentence.
#nzpol
As if international condemnation was not enough, new NZ Health survey data show that since the coalition govt reversed smokefree measures, smoking prevalence has plateaued (after years of decline). Time for Costello to go well overdue. tinyurl.com/bdfm73d7
Trends in smoking and vaping: New Zealand Health Survey 2024/25 | Ministry of Health NZ
Data on daily smoking and vaping for 2024/25, presented in a series of graphs.
tinyurl.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:49 PM
As if international condemnation was not enough, new NZ Health survey data show that since the coalition govt reversed smokefree measures, smoking prevalence has plateaued (after years of decline). Time for Costello to go well overdue. tinyurl.com/bdfm73d7
Government's appalling track record in health just got international recognition. NZ delegation at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control meeting in Geneva received the Dirty Ashtray award. www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroo...
Global meeting awards Aotearoa New Zealand ‘Dirty Ashtray’ award
Last night’s award of a ‘Dirty Ashtray’, a civil society award, to the New Zealand Government shows Aotearoa is now attracting international attention for all the wrong reasons, tobacco control resear...
www.otago.ac.nz
November 18, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Government's appalling track record in health just got international recognition. NZ delegation at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control meeting in Geneva received the Dirty Ashtray award. www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroo...
Reposted by Janet Hoek
The irony here is that academics don’t just write the articles for free—we also referee and edit for them for free. Something is deeply broken.
“New Zealand's eight universities spent $30-million a year on journal licences and about half of that sum went to Elsevier.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
“New Zealand's eight universities spent $30-million a year on journal licences and about half of that sum went to Elsevier.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Universities in 'battle of the century' with journal publisher Elsevier
One New Zealand university told its staff all universities in New Zealand and Australia would "lose some degree of access" to the publisher's 1600 titles from the start of next year.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 15, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The irony here is that academics don’t just write the articles for free—we also referee and edit for them for free. Something is deeply broken.
“New Zealand's eight universities spent $30-million a year on journal licences and about half of that sum went to Elsevier.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
“New Zealand's eight universities spent $30-million a year on journal licences and about half of that sum went to Elsevier.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Janet Hoek
ICYMI, our new article in @bmj.com with @markpetticrew.bsky.social @maizie333.bsky.social, on new alcohol licensing, is below
The government recently announced plans to extend the opening hours for pubs and bars in England and Wales.
This proposal shows a failure to differentiate between healthy and harmful growth, say @spidermaani.bsky.social @maizie333.bsky.social @markpetticrew.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
This proposal shows a failure to differentiate between healthy and harmful growth, say @spidermaani.bsky.social @maizie333.bsky.social @markpetticrew.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
ICYMI, our new article in @bmj.com with @markpetticrew.bsky.social @maizie333.bsky.social, on new alcohol licensing, is below
Cancer Society Tobacco Industry Interference Index shows catastrophic decline for Aotearoa, reflecting Costello's industry-friendly actions. Shameful. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/aot...
Aotearoa plummets from 2nd to 53rd in Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index ranking
Recent policy changes have led to a dramatic drop in NZ’s global ranking for tobacco interference protection.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 11, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Cancer Society Tobacco Industry Interference Index shows catastrophic decline for Aotearoa, reflecting Costello's industry-friendly actions. Shameful. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/aot...
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Just your regular reminder of the profound conflict of interest at the heart of the Luxon fast track: Chris Bishop is both chair of the National Party Campaign Committee, dependent on business donations, and as Infrastructure Minister decides which businesses get access to the fast track.
November 7, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Just your regular reminder of the profound conflict of interest at the heart of the Luxon fast track: Chris Bishop is both chair of the National Party Campaign Committee, dependent on business donations, and as Infrastructure Minister decides which businesses get access to the fast track.
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Opinion: By trying to silence health professionals, the Government risks smothering advocacy, equity and reform, writes Barbara Fountain.
Stop telling health professionals to get back in their box
newsroom.co.nz
November 7, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Opinion: By trying to silence health professionals, the Government risks smothering advocacy, equity and reform, writes Barbara Fountain.
Peters: “All sorts of things are happening these days and we are saying, frankly, enough's enough... costs [are] well over millions and millions of dollars... and every year, it just compounds.”
Crikey, for a moment I thought he was talking about smoking!
tinyurl.com/yzdekv9k
Crikey, for a moment I thought he was talking about smoking!
tinyurl.com/yzdekv9k
Winston Peters says banning fireworks will be a ‘bottom line’ in coalition negotiations
NZ First leader Winston Peters says the party’s bill that would ban the public sale of fireworks would be a bottom line in any future coalition agreement.
tinyurl.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Peters: “All sorts of things are happening these days and we are saying, frankly, enough's enough... costs [are] well over millions and millions of dollars... and every year, it just compounds.”
Crikey, for a moment I thought he was talking about smoking!
tinyurl.com/yzdekv9k
Crikey, for a moment I thought he was talking about smoking!
tinyurl.com/yzdekv9k
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Opinion from the University of Otago: How a Citizens' Assembly on our approach to drugs can reach sensible and nuanced solutions to reducing harm.
Democracy already in use against drug harm – why can't politicians do the same?
newsroom.co.nz
October 29, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Opinion from the University of Otago: How a Citizens' Assembly on our approach to drugs can reach sensible and nuanced solutions to reducing harm.
Reposted by Janet Hoek
"He did not believe the coalition Government’s use of urgency and truncated select committee processes was behind the rise in submissions..."
Of course he would say this, but he's wrong, and disingenous. The evidence suggests that an overall poor legislative process IS significantly implicated.
Of course he would say this, but he's wrong, and disingenous. The evidence suggests that an overall poor legislative process IS significantly implicated.
Tighter rules may be needed to stem flow of public submissions, says MP
'Coordinated, largely online campaigns' make it harder for politicians to consider good-faith submissions on laws
newsroom.co.nz
October 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
"He did not believe the coalition Government’s use of urgency and truncated select committee processes was behind the rise in submissions..."
Of course he would say this, but he's wrong, and disingenous. The evidence suggests that an overall poor legislative process IS significantly implicated.
Of course he would say this, but he's wrong, and disingenous. The evidence suggests that an overall poor legislative process IS significantly implicated.
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Paywall now lifted: Just eight of the Government's 17 Roads of National Significance have already seen costs blow out by $5.1 billion - before any shovels are even in the ground.
The full programme would cost $44-$54 billion on the latest numbers.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/23/5...
The full programme would cost $44-$54 billion on the latest numbers.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/23/5...
$5b-plus blowout for eight Roads of National Significance
The Government's 17 Roads of National Significance will cost it at least $44 billion – enough to rebuild Dunedin Hospital 23 times over. Marc Daalder reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 24, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Paywall now lifted: Just eight of the Government's 17 Roads of National Significance have already seen costs blow out by $5.1 billion - before any shovels are even in the ground.
The full programme would cost $44-$54 billion on the latest numbers.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/23/5...
The full programme would cost $44-$54 billion on the latest numbers.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/23/5...
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Reposted by Janet Hoek
100 reasons to support the mega strike - Emily Writes
#Oct23Strike
#Oct23Strike
100 reasons to support the mega strike
Are you ready to show up?
Tomorrow, more than 100,000 nurses, doctors, teachers, health workers, dentists, social workers, support staff, and teacher aides will strike. It's believed to be the larges...
www.emilywrites.co.nz
October 22, 2025 at 5:42 AM
100 reasons to support the mega strike - Emily Writes
#Oct23Strike
#Oct23Strike
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Wow! Town Council in Tiburon (Marin County) unanimously passed a tobacco product sales ban ordinance (third in the state of California)! #MakeTobaccoHistory
#Tobacco #endgame #PublicHealthSky @ash.org @simonchapman.bsky.social @mhef.bsky.social @mikedaube.bsky.social
#Tobacco #endgame #PublicHealthSky @ash.org @simonchapman.bsky.social @mhef.bsky.social @mikedaube.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Wow! Town Council in Tiburon (Marin County) unanimously passed a tobacco product sales ban ordinance (third in the state of California)! #MakeTobaccoHistory
#Tobacco #endgame #PublicHealthSky @ash.org @simonchapman.bsky.social @mhef.bsky.social @mikedaube.bsky.social
#Tobacco #endgame #PublicHealthSky @ash.org @simonchapman.bsky.social @mhef.bsky.social @mikedaube.bsky.social
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Doctors cross ethical line says man who raised speed limits for no reason despite extensive evidence it would lead to more injuries and death.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Simeon Brown accuses doctors of crossing 'ethical line' with mega strike
There were audible cries of disbelief during the Simeon Brown's speech to a senior doctors' conference.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Doctors cross ethical line says man who raised speed limits for no reason despite extensive evidence it would lead to more injuries and death.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Reposted by Janet Hoek
Labour MUST put an end to the corruption that appears to have fuelled this and other bills.
Corruption laws must have real consequences and be policed by independent bodies. We cannot afford to have governments in the pockets of tobacco & other lobbyists.
Corruption laws must have real consequences and be policed by independent bodies. We cannot afford to have governments in the pockets of tobacco & other lobbyists.
October 13, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Labour MUST put an end to the corruption that appears to have fuelled this and other bills.
Corruption laws must have real consequences and be policed by independent bodies. We cannot afford to have governments in the pockets of tobacco & other lobbyists.
Corruption laws must have real consequences and be policed by independent bodies. We cannot afford to have governments in the pockets of tobacco & other lobbyists.