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

Virginia Seeks to Dismiss E-Cigarette Ban Challenge, Citing Lack of Legal Standing

The Virginia Attorney General and tax commissioner have urged a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on unapproved e-cigarettes, arguing that the companies behind the suit lack legal standing since their products are federally illegal. The state contends the plaintiffs, Novo Distro Inc. and Tobacco Hut and Vape Fairfax Inc., have no lawful right to sell unapproved vapes and cannot show irreparable harm.

Dec.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai

BAT Japan to raise prices of glo heated-tobacco sticks by about 4%–5%

BAT Japan said it will raise retail prices by ¥20 (about $0.13) per pack for 16 glo heated-tobacco stick brands—11 Lucky Strike and five Kent—effective January 1, 2026. The company will also lift prices for 12 VELO nicotine pouch brands by ¥20–¥40 per pack from December 1, 2025.

Oct.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai

China Opens 2026 National E-Cigarette Standards Project for Public Submissions

The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) jointly announced the launch of the 2026 National Standardization Project for E-cigarettes. The initiative, coordinated by the National Technical Committee on Standardization of E-cigarettes, aims to enhance the industry’s regulatory framework through new standards on manufacturing, storage, distribution, and evaluation.

Nov.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai

BAT appoints Matthew Wright as Independent Non-Executive Director, effective November 1, 2025

Matthew Wright appointed as independent non-executive director of British American Tobacco, effective November 1, bringing extensive international executive experience.