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The Government is cracking down on disposable vapes and banning new vape shops near schools or marae in a big to reduce the number of young people taking up vaping.
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says from August all vaping devices sold in New Zealand will need to have removeable or replaceable batteries.
Vapes will need child safety mechanisms, and potentially enticing names like ‘cotton candy’ and ‘strawberry jelly donut’ will be banned.
Dr Verrall says there needs to be a balance between preventing young people from starting to vape and having vapes available as a cessation tool for those who genuinely want to give up smoking.
“These new regulations build on protections the Labour Government introduced in 2020, including banning sales to under-18s and prohibiting vape advertising and sponsorship.
“Vaping has played an important role in the record reduction of New Zealanders smoking over the last few years.
“New Zealand’s smoking rate is half the rate of what it was 10 years ago, with the number of people smoking falling by 56,000 in the past year.
“We’re creating a future where tobacco products are no longer addictive, appealing or as readily available, and the same needs to apply to vaping.”
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