New Zealand City Council Plans to Ban E-cigarettes

After a passionate speech from the Cancer Society, the Dunedin City Council in New Zealand has strengthened its stance on the ban of e-cigarettes.

The board is preparing to submit a revised amendment on smoke-free environments and regulated products (smoked tobacco) to the health committee of the Parliament. This decision comes in response to a request made by Linda Bakston, a health promotion advisor from the Cancer Association, to strengthen their stance against electronic cigarettes.

Ms. Buxton delivered a speech to the council at a public forum before their Tuesday meeting, calling for a stronger stance on the issue of electronic cigarettes to bolster their submission materials.

Ms. Buxton stated that young people who have never smoked before are developing a habit of using e-cigarettes, and since her speech in Parliament in July, three e-cigarette shops in the city have started to ignore regulatory rules.

These numbers clearly indicate that we do have an issue with electronic cigarettes in this country. She stated that electronic cigarette products are a viable way to help people quit smoking, but these products are being marketed towards young people who have never smoked before.

The current committee has submitted a proposal to limit the number of electronic cigarette retailers and requires them to prove that they are a specialized shop with 60%-70% of their business centered around selling electronic cigarette products. Ms. Buxton stated that the materials submitted by DCC support the limitation of tobacco retailers in Dunedin as a positive measure to prevent young people from smoking and maintain smoke-free environments for former smokers.

According to Cr Christine Garey, electronic cigarettes are becoming another issue as the country tries to tackle the smoking problem, which is unusual.

There are numerous indications that if we do nothing, we will encounter further issues... I was surprised to see shiny e-cigarette shops everywhere.

Councillor David Benson-Pope stated that if the issue is not promptly addressed, it will not disappear. He added that he believes speculation about another impending health disaster is more than mere speculation.

The council will now submit a revised proposal to the special committee. A report about the bill is expected to be submitted in early December.

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