Professor Richard Edwards, Department of Public Health, Our People, University of Otago, Wellington, University of Otago, New Zealand

Richard_Edwards_profile

MB BChir, MRCP, FCPHM(NZ), MPH, MD

Co-Director ASPIRE 2025; Co-Director HePPRU;

Contact details
Research interests and activities
Publications

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.

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Publications

Ball, J., Sim, D., & Edwards, R. (2018). Addressing ethnic disparaties 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

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

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

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

Logan, S., Twine, S., Bromiley, G., Curtis, H., Ball, J., & Edwards, R. (2018). Factors influencing the smoking status of ex-prisoners reintegrating into the community after release: A pilot study. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1470), 94-96. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Edited Book - Research
Chapter in Book - Research
Journal - Research Article

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.

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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.

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Journal - Research Article

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

Shaw, C., Hales, S., Edwards, R., Howden-Chapman, P., & Stanley, J. (2017). What can fuel price increases tell us about the air pollution health co-benefits of a carbon price? Journal of Transport & Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2017.11.002

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thomson, G., Edwards, R., Wilson, N., & Blakely, T. (2012). What are the elements of the tobacco endgame? Tobacco Control, 21(2), 293-295. doi: 10.1136/tc.2010.040881

Wilson, N., Weerasekera, D., Kahler, C. W., Borland, R., & Edwards, R. (2012). Hazardous patterns of alcohol use are relatively common in smokers: ITC Project (New Zealand). New Zealand Medical Journal, 125(1348). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Edwards, R., Peace, J., Stanley, J., Atkinson, J., Wilson, N., & Thomson, G. (2012). Setting a good example? Changes in smoking prevalence among key occupational groups in New Zealand: Evidence from the 1981 and 2006 censuses. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 14(3), 329-337. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntr218

Salmond, C., Crampton, P., Atkinson, J., & Edwards, R. (2012). A decade of tobacco control efforts in New Zealand (1996–2006): Impacts on inequalities in census-derived smoking prevalence. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 14(6), 664-673. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntr264

Gendall, P., Hoek, J., Thomson, G., Edwards, R., Pene, G., Gifford, H., … McCool, J. (2011). Young adults' interpretations of tobacco brands: Implications for tobacco control. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 13(10), 911-918. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntr094

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