Controversy Surrounding New Zealand's E-Cigarette Quit Smoking Program

Jan.02

New Zealand Health Ministry to provide e-cigarette starter kits to aid adult smoking cessation, drawing criticism from health advocates.

According to NZ Herald on January 2nd, Casey Costello, the Deputy Minister of Health in New Zealand, announced that starting next week, e-cigarette starter kits will be provided to smoking cessation services nationwide to assist adults in quitting smoking. However, this move has been criticized by health advocates.

Letitia Harding, CEO of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, expressed concerns about the controversial practice of using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.

These products have not yet been approved for smoking cessation by the World Health Organization, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), or the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe). Therefore, distributing these medications as therapeutic products without going through proper rigorous consultation procedures is truly bizarre. They are set to launch this plan next week, which seems too insane.

Harding noted that the plan lacks details and simply involves moving people from one product to another without a clear exit strategy.

Which products will actually receive funding, and how will they actually break free from long-term nicotine dependence on e-cigarette products? In the next decade or few decades, we may see a "New Zealand without e-cigarettes.

References:

[1] Smokefree advocates question Government's vaping plan

Also Read:

[1] New Zealand Government to Provide Free E-cigarette Starter Packs

[2] New Zealand Strengthens Regulation on E-Cigarettes: Disposable Ban Effective from June, 2025

[3] New Zealand Government Passes Strict Anti-Smoking Regulations

#Legislation #Open system e-cigarettes #Market #Australia #Oceania #New Zealand

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Philip Morris Korea Extends IQOS ILUMA i Warranty to 18 Months, Says Move Will Boost Smoke-Free Product Growth

Philip Morris International’s Korea unit has extended the warranty for the “IQOS ILUMA i” heated tobacco series from 12 to 18 months, applying it retroactively to existing purchases, aiming to enhance user experience and market competitiveness.

Oct.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai

PMI’s Smoke-Free Playbook: What Jacek Olczak Really Told Wall Street

At the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference on December 2, 2025, PMI CEO Jacek Olczak delivered a clear message: the company’s smoke-free shift is now its central strategy. From ZYN’s surge in the U.S. to IQOS’s global momentum and a changing regulatory tone, his remarks sounded less like an earnings update and more like a declaration of PMI’s smoke-free future.

PMI

Dec.03

2Firsts Interview with IBVTA: UK Vape Tax May Weaken Harm Reduction Efforts

As the UK prepares to introduce its first-ever vape tax in 2026, questions are growing about how the measure will reshape the country’s harm reduction landscape. IBVTA tells 2Firsts that while it was not in favour of the new duty, it accepts that it is being implemented and is working with regulators to ensure a smooth rollout — warning, however, that higher costs could slow smokers’ transition to safer alternatives.

Oct.07

EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Consultation Highlights Tobacco Debate — 2Firsts Analysis Reveals Divide Between “Cessation” and “Harm Reduction” Approaches