Teen smoking in New Zealand declined by half in the last eight years, according to a report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Scoop reported June 25 that 14.2 percent of New Zealand high-school students smoked in 2006, down from 28.6 percent in 1999. Moreover, 53.8 percent of teens said they never smoked, down from 31.6 percent in 1999.

But teens whose parents smoke are more likely (33 percent) to be smokers. "Parents express concern that there is little they can do to stop their children from taking up smoking. The results clearly indicate that parents play a vital part in whether their children become smokers," said Ben Youdan, director of ASH New Zealand. "If you are a parent who is worried about your child taking up smoking, and you smoke, the best thing you could do for your child's present and future health and well-being is to quit smoking."