Insufficient Penalties and Enforcement of E-Cigarette Sales to Minors

According to a report by RNZ on August 23rd, data provided by the Ministry of Health under the Official Information Act reveals that less than 100 infringement notices have been issued to e-cigarette retailers since the enforcement began last year, resulting in a total fine of NZD 42,900.

Alison Cossar, manager of the Ministry of Health's Public Health Policy and Regulatory Action Group, has stated that fines for selling to underage buyers could range from NZD 200 to NZD 1000, with 96 infringement notices primarily issued for selling e-cigarette products to individuals under the age of 18.

Korsar promises that law enforcement is still gradually strengthening.

It is expected that the number of law enforcement officials empowered to implement e-cigarette regulations will double in the coming months. Currently, New Zealand has a total of 29 officers carrying out enforcement duties, with an additional 32 individuals undergoing training or being recruited.

Kosar attributes the delay in enforcing e-cigarette regulations to the ongoing pandemic.

The functioning of public health services in the region has been disrupted due to the need to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 1,300 professional e-cigarette retailers are listed on New Zealand's health advisory and regulatory platform, along with thousands of convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores selling a limited variety of e-cigarette products. Anna Stewart, a member of the social organization Christchurch Mothers and "Smokefree Youth," expressed shock but not surprise at the enforcement data.

She says:

At the very least, regulations or their enforcement should serve as the only means to curb the usage of e-cigarettes among young people. Unfortunately, we have failed to do so. It seems that more resources have been allocated to supporting e-cigarette retailers, rather than ensuring their compliance with regulations." She shared a screenshot of an online review from a local convenience store, which stated that despite being fined three times, they would continue to sell e-cigarettes to underage customers.

Anna was astonished when her teenage son went to the store to see if they would sell him an e-cigarette, only to come back a few minutes later with the restricted product in hand.

These stores continue to sell products to young children, which further highlights our underestimation of the value of youth health.