MB BChir, MRCP, FCPHM(NZ), MPH, MD
Co-Director ASPIRE 2025; Co-Director HePPRU;
Contact details
Tel 64 4 918 5089
Email richard.edwards@otago.ac.nz
Twitter @ProfEdwardsNZ
Skype pr.edwards.nz
Research interests and activities
Richard trained as a public health physician in the UK, and came to Wellington in November 2005. He has over 20 years experience in tobacco control practice and research in the UK and New Zealand. Richard is co-director of ASPIRE 2025 research collaboration and co-director of the Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit (HePPRU).
His main research interests are in tobacco use epidemiology and tobacco control (see ASPIRE2025). He has also carried out research in a variety of other areas, notably environmental epidemiology and non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
His current research focus is on tobacco control policy research, particularly in relation to achieving the Tupeka Kore vision of ending significant tobacco use in Aotearoa/New Zealand by 2025.
He is principal investigator on the New Zealand arm of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Evaluation project.
Examples of recently completed research projects include:
- An evaluation of the 2003 Smokefree Amendment Act in New Zealand
- Air quality studies in hospitality venues, cars and other settings in New Zealand and the UK
- An investigation of the influence of point-of-sale tobacco displays and the effectiveness of the removal of point-of-sale displays in New Zealand and internationally
- Exploring influences on the uptake of smoking among Māori and non-Māori children
- An investigation of the feasibility of endgame solutions to tobacco control in New Zealand
- An exploration of whether young adults make a truly informed choice when they start smoking
Richard is a Deputy Editor of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research and serves on various expert advisory committees including for Hāpai Te Hauora the national tobacco control advocacy service and the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation.
Publications
Oakly, A., Edwards, R., & Martin, G. (2019). Prevalence of e-cigarette use from a nationally representative sample in New Zealand. Addictive Behaviors. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.06.013
Ball, J., Sim, D., Edwards, R., Fleming, T., Denny, S., Cook, H., & Clark, T. (2019). Declining adolescent cannabis use occurred across all demographic groups and was accompanied by declining use of other psychoactive drugs, New Zealand, 2001-2012. New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1500), 12-24. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Gravely, S., Driezen, P., Ouimet, J., Quah, A. C. K., Cummings, K. M., Thompson, M., … Edwards, R., … Fong, G. T. (2019). Prevalence of awareness, ever-use, and current use of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) among adult current smokers and ex-smokers in 14 countries with differing regulations on sales and marketing of NVPs: Cross-sectional findings from the ITC Project. Addiction, 114(6), 1060-1073. doi: 10.1111/add.14558
Edwards, R. (2019). Hardening is dead, long live softening: Time to focus on reducing disparities in smoking. Tobacco Control. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055067
Stanley, J., Harris, R., Cormack, D., Waa, A., & Edwards, R. (2019). The impact of racism on the future health of adults: Protocol for a prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 346. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6664-x
Edited Book - Research
Britton, J., Edwards, R., & ... (Eds.). (2005). Going smoke-free: The medical case for clean air in the home, at work and in public places. London, UK: Royal College of Physicians.
Chapter in Book - Research
Edwards, R. (2005). Control of environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the workplace. In Going smoke-free: The medical case for clean air in the home, at work and in public places. (pp. 51-62). London, UK: Royal College of Physicians.
Walker, R., & Edwards, R. (2004). Hypertension in Africa. In E. Parry, R. Godfrey, D. Mabey & G. Gill (Eds.), Principles of medicine in Africa. (3rd ed.) (pp. 779-795). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Journal - Research Article
Oakly, A., Edwards, R., & Martin, G. (2019). Prevalence of e-cigarette use from a nationally representative sample in New Zealand. Addictive Behaviors. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.06.013
Gravely, S., Driezen, P., Ouimet, J., Quah, A. C. K., Cummings, K. M., Thompson, M., … Edwards, R., … Fong, G. T. (2019). Prevalence of awareness, ever-use, and current use of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) among adult current smokers and ex-smokers in 14 countries with differing regulations on sales and marketing of NVPs: Cross-sectional findings from the ITC Project. Addiction, 114(6), 1060-1073. doi: 10.1111/add.14558
Ball, J., Sim, D., Edwards, R., Fleming, T., Denny, S., Cook, H., & Clark, T. (2019). Declining adolescent cannabis use occurred across all demographic groups and was accompanied by declining use of other psychoactive drugs, New Zealand, 2001-2012. New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1500), 12-24. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Signal, L. N., Bowers, S. G., Edwards, R., Gifford, H., Hudson, S., Jenkin, G. L. S., Lanumata, T. S., Russell, M. L., Thomson, G., & Walton, M. D. (2018). Process, pitfalls and profits: Lessons from interviewing New Zealand policy-makers. Health Promotion International, 33(2), 187-194. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daw065
Edwards, R., Tu, D., Stanley, J., Martin, G., Gifford, H., & Newcombe, R. (2018). Smoking prevalence among doctors and nurses: 2013 New Zealand census data. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1471), 48-57. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Ball, J., Sim, D., & Edwards, R. (2018). Addressing ethnic disparities in adolescent smoking: Is reducing exposure to smoking in the home a key? Nicotine & Tobacco Research, nty053. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/ntr/nty053
Shaw, C., Hales, S., Edwards, R., Howden-Chapman, P., & Stanley, J. (2018). What can fuel price increases tell us about the air pollution health co-benefits of a carbon price? Journal of Transport & Health, 8, 81-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2017.11.002
Wilson, N., Petrović-van der Deen, F. S., Edwards, R., Waa, A., & Blakely, T. (2018). Modelling the number of quitters needed to achieve New Zealand's Smokefree 2025 goal for Māori and non-Māori. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1487), 30-37. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Carter, M.-A., Signal, L. N., Edwards, R., & Hoek, J. (2018). Competing teammates: Food in New Zealand sports settings. Health Promotion International. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/heapro/day035
Ball, J., Sim, D., & Edwards, R. (2018). Why has adolescent smoking declined dramatically? Trend analysis using repeat cross-sectional data from New Zealand 2002-2015. BMJ Open, 8(10), e020320. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020320
Smith, M., Signal, L., Edwards, R., & Hoek, J. (2017). Children's and parents' opinions on the sport-related food environment: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 18(9), 1018-1039. doi: 10.1111/obr.12558
Edwards, R., Ajmal, A., Healey, B., & Hoek, J. (2017). Impact of removing point-of-sale tobacco displays: Data from a New Zealand youth survey. Tobacco Control, 26, 392-398. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052764
Edwards, R., Tu, D., Newcombe, R., Holland, K., & Walton, D. (2017). Achieving the tobacco endgame: Evidence on the hardening hypothesis from repeated cross-sectional studies in New Zealand 2008-2014. Tobacco Control, 26, 399-405. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052860
Waa, A. M., Hoek, J., Edwards, R., & Maclaurin, J. (2017). Analysis of the logic and framing of a tobacco industry campaign opposing standardised packaging legislation in New Zealand. Tobacco Control, 26(6), 629-633. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2016-053146
Gifford, H., Tautolo, E.-S., Erick, S., Hoek, J., Gray, R., & Edwards, R. (2016). A qualitative analysis of Māori and Pacific smokers' views on informed choice and smoking. BMJ Open, 6(5), e011415. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011415
Gendall, P., Hoek, J., Edwards, R., & Glantz, S. (2016). Effect of exposure to smoking in movies on young adult smoking in New Zealand. PLoS ONE, 11(3), e0148692. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148692
Tu, D., Newcombe, R., Edwards, R., & Walton, D. (2016). Socio-demographic characteristics of New Zealand adult smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers: Results from the 2013 Census. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1447), 43-56. Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Gray, R. J., Hoek, J., & Edwards, R. (2016). A qualitative analysis of 'informed choice' among young adult smokers. Tobacco Control, 25, 46-51. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2014-051793
Ball, J., Stanley, J., Wilson, N., Blakely, T., & Edwards, R. (2016). Smoking prevalence in New Zealand from 1996–2015: A critical review of national data sources to inform progress toward the Smokefree 2025 goal. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1439), 11-22. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Healey, B., Edwards, R., & Hoek, J. (2016). Youth preferences for roll-your-own versus factory-made cigarettes: Trends and associations in repeated national surveys (2006-13) and implications for policy. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 18(5), 959-965. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntv135
Gendall, P., Eckert, C., Hoek, J., Farley, T., Louviere, J., Wilson, N., & Edwards, R. (2016). Estimating the 'consumer surplus' for branded versus standardised tobacco packaging. Tobacco Control, 25(6), 641-647. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052488
Thomson, G., Wilson, N., Collins, D., & Edwards, R. (2015). Attitudes to smoke-free outdoor regulations in the USA and Canada: A review of 89 surveys. Tobacco Control, 25(5), 506-516. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052426
Healey, B., Hoek, J., Wilson, N., Thomson, G., Taylor, S., & Edwards, R. (2015). Youth exposure to in-vehicle second-hand smoke and their smoking behaviours: Trends and associations in repeated national surveys (2006-2012). Tobacco Control, 24(2), 146-152. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2013-051124
Jaine, R., Healey, B., Edwards, R., & Hoek, J. (2015). How adolescents view the tobacco endgame and tobacco control measures: Trends and associations in support among 14-15 year olds. Tobacco Control, 24(5), 449-454. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2013-051440
Tautolo, E.-S., Edwards, R., & Gifford, H. (2015). A gift and a burden: The purchase and distribution of duty-free tobacco and its potential impact upon Pacific people in New Zealand. Tobacco Control, 24(E1), e59-e64. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2013-051345
Shaw, C., Hales, S., Howden-Chapman, P., & Edwards, R. (2014). Health co-benefits of climate change mitigation policies in the transport sector. Nature Climate Change, 4(6), 427-433. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2247
Healey, B., Hoek, J., & Edwards, R. (2014). Posting behaviour patterns in an online smoking cessation social network: Implications for intervention design and development. PLoS ONE, 9(9), e106603. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106603
Jaine, R., Russell, M., Edwards, R., & Thomson, G. (2014). New Zealand tobacco retailers’ attitudes to selling tobacco, point-of-sale display bans and other tobacco control measures: A qualitative analysis. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1396). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Gendall, P., Hoek, J., Marsh, L., Edwards, R., & Healey, B. (2014). Youth tobacco access: Trends and policy implications. BMJ Open, 4(4), e004631. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004631
McCool, J., Hoek, J., Edwards, R., Thomson, G., & Gifford, H. (2013). Crossing the smoking divide for young adults: Expressions of stigma and identity among smokers and nonsmokers. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 15(2), 552-556. doi: 10.1093/ntr/nts136
Thornley, S., Dirks, K. N., Edwards, R., Woodward, A., & Marshall, R. (2013). Indoor air pollution levels were halved as a result of a national tobacco an in a New Zealand prison. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 15(2), 343-347. doi: 10.1093/ntr/nts127
Maubach, N., Hoek, J. A., Edwards, R., Gifford, H., Erick, S., & Newcombe, R. (2013). 'The times are changing': New Zealand smokers' perceptions of the tobacco endgame. Tobacco Control, 22(6), 395-400. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050398
Blakely, T., Barendregt, J. J., Foster, R. H., Hill, S., Atkinson, J., Sarfati, D., & Edwards, R. (2013). The association of active smoking with multiple cancers: National census-cancer registry cohorts with quantitative bias analysis. Cancer Causes & Control, 24(6), 1243-1255. doi: 10.1007/s10552-013-0204-2
Edwards, R., Wilson, N., Peace, J., Weerasekera, D., Thomson, G. W., & Gifford, H. (2013). Support for a tobacco endgame and increased regulation of the tobacco industry among New Zealand smokers: Results from a National Survey. Tobacco Control, 22, e86-e93. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050324
Carter, M.-A., Signal, L., Edwards, R., Hoek, J., & Maher, A. (2013). Food, fizzy, and football: Promoting unhealthy food and beverages through sport: A New Zealand case study. BMC Public Health, 13, 126. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-126
Wilson, N., Thomson, G. W., Edwards, R., & Blakely, T. (2013). Potential advantages and disadvantages of an endgame strategy: A 'sinking lid' on tobacco supply. Tobacco Control, 22(Suppl. 1), i18-i21. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050791
Hoek, J., Maubach, N., Stevenson, R., Gendall, P., & Edwards, R. (2013). Social smokers' management of conflicted identities. Tobacco Control, 22(4), 261-265. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050176
Edwards, R., Carter, K., Peace, J., & Blakely, T. (2013). An examination of smoking initiation rates by age: Results from a large longitudinal study in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 37(6), 516-519. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12105
Carter, M.-A., Edwards, R., Signal, L., & Hoek, J. (2012). Availability and marketing of food and beverages to children through sports settings: A systematic review. Public Health Nutrition, 18(8), 1373-1379. doi: 10.1017/s136898001100320x
Hoek, J., Gendall, P., Maubach, N., & Edwards, R. (2012). Strong public support for plain packaging of tobacco products. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 36(5), 405-407. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2012.00907.x
Edwards, R., Peace, J., Russell, M., Gifford, H., Thomson, G., & Wilson, N. (2012). Qualitative exploration of public and smoker understanding of, and reactions to, an endgame solution to the tobacco epidemic. BMC Public Health, 12, 782. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-782
Gendall, P., Hoek, J., Edwards, R., & McCool, J. (2012). A cross-sectional analysis of how young adults perceive tobacco brands: Implications for FCTC signatories. BMC Public Health, 12, 796. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-796
Verma, A., Harrison, A., Torun, P., Vestbo, J., Edwards, R., & Thornton, J. (2012). Are pharmacists reducing COPD'S impact through smoking cessation and assessing inhaled steroid use? Respiratory Medicine, 106(2), 230-234. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2011.08.011
Hoek, J., Gendall, P., Gifford, H., Pirikahu, G., McCool, J., Pene, G., Edwards, R., & Thomson, G. (2012). Tobacco branding, plain packaging, pictorial warnings, and symbolic consumption. Qualitative Health Research, 22(5), 630-639. doi: 10.1177/1049732311431070
Rasiah, D., Edwards, R., & Crampton, P. (2012). Funding community medicines by exception: A descriptive epidemiological study from New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 125(1350). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Hoek, J., Vaudrey, R., Gendall, P., Edwards, R., & Thomson, G. (2012). Tobacco retail displays: A comparison of industry arguments and retailers' experiences. Tobacco Control, 21(5), 497-501. doi: 10.1136/tc.2011.043687
Verma, A., Torun, P., Harris, E., Edwards, R., Gemmell, I., Harrison, R. A., … Heller, R. F. (2012). Population Impact Analysis: A framework for assessing the population impact of a risk or intervention. Journal of Public Health, 34(1), 83-89. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdr026
