There are currently too many convenience stores operating as dedicated retailers of electronic cigarettes, which flouts New Zealand's e-cigarette laws, so we are pleased that the government will be addressing this situation," said Nancy Loucas, co-founder of the Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA).
Before making the above statement, the New Zealand parliament had its first reading of the Smoke-free Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill, which is expected to be referred to the Health Select Committee before August 24th.
Since the implementation of e-cigarette legislation in 2020, only licensed e-cigarette specialty retailers (SVRs) are permitted to sell flavored e-cigarettes. General retailers such as convenience stores are limited to selling only three flavors - mint, menthol, and tobacco. Many convenience stores have created separate areas specifically for selling e-cigarettes and have registered these spaces as SVRs.
Ms. Loucas stated, "There is no reason for anyone to sell flavored e-cigarettes in convenience stores. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to enter a smoke and vape shop, so why is this practice of selling e-cigarettes mixed with other products becoming so prevalent on the island of Oteyaroa?
Over the past two years, this practice not only caused a surge in the number of nicotine vaping products in New Zealand, but also contributed to the illegal sale of these products to minors. The AVCA is urging authorities to take a tougher stance. The so-called SVRs also failed to train their retailers.
I went into a store that sold a variety of items, and asked some basic questions, but they were unable to provide assistance. When I asked about the difference between 30mg and 50mg nicotine products, they did not know. They did not have the capability to help people switch to safer nicotine products," she said.
The government's proposed bill aims to restrict the number of retailers selling tobacco products, ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born in or after 2009, and reduce the appeal and addiction of tobacco products. Additionally, it suggests that general retailers such as convenience stores must now notify the Director General of Health of their sale or distribution of electronic cigarette products and register them accordingly.
In addition, only licensed retailers are allowed to operate as independent businesses. Furthermore, they must have 70% of their total sales from e-cigarette products to qualify as an SVR, or a lower threshold such as 60% may be set.
Despite electronic cigarettes being a key factor in halving New Zealand's smoking rates over the past decade and saving thousands of lives, they continue to receive negative coverage from the media. Nancy Loucas suggests that organizing legislation for e-cigarettes in 2020 would help reduce underage exposure and ensure smokers looking to switch receive better advice.
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