Electronic cigarettes can be an effective tool to quit smoking: New Zealand PM

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has acknowledged that e-cigarettes can be an effective tool to help smokers quit, while discussing recent legislation that bans the legal purchase of tobacco for those aged 14 and under.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand stated that continuously increasing tobacco prices will not continue to aid smoking cessation, which is why alternative methods are necessary. She said that the best way to reduce smoking rates is for individuals to not start smoking in the first place.

If they smoke, they must find safe alternatives and quit smoking. That's all," Ardern said.

Speaking of New Zealand's electronic cigarette framework, Ardern acknowledges that e-cigarettes are a successful tool for people to quit smoking.

This actually allows us to push forward further action plans to reduce smoking, as there is an alternative method that has been very successful in helping people quit smoking. We know that e-cigarettes are having an impact on those who are currently quitting. Therefore, it is an important tool," said the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

New Zealand is one of the countries that allows e-cigarettes to be used more freely as a smoking cessation tool. The latest legislation will allow authorized retailers to sell a wider range of e-cigarette related products.

The legislation also requires that electronic cigarette products must obtain government approval before being sold to ensure they meet safety requirements and that the liquid ingredients do not contain any banned substances.

In 2015, a groundbreaking study was released by Public Health England (PHE) regarding electronic cigarettes. The study found that the harm to health caused by e-cigarettes is significantly lower than that caused by tobacco and that they may be a useful tool for smokers trying to quit.

Furthermore, the UK Department of Health and Social Care, along with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, have stated in a recent press release that the UK is likely to become the world's first country to prescribe medicinal electronic cigarettes in order to help reduce smoking rates.