New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon Vows to Tackle Disposable E-cigarette

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.11.2023
New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon Vows to Tackle Disposable E-cigarette
New Zealand's new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pledges to continue the previous government's plan to combat cheap disposable e-cigarettes.

According to a report from New Zealand's Stuff, the newly appointed Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, has pledged to continue the previous Labour government's efforts to crack down on cheap disposable e-cigarettes, despite the controversial "Repeal of the Smokefree Environments Amendment Act".

 

Luke Sen confirmed in a cabinet media briefing in Wellington that the new regulations will be gradually implemented starting from December 21st.

 

These regulations include prohibiting the establishment of new e-cigarette retailers near schools and Māori meeting grounds (Marae), as well as allowing only generic flavor descriptions on e-cigarette products and their packaging. In addition, there is a requirement to lower the maximum nicotine content allowed in disposable e-cigarettes and ensure that all e-cigarette products have removable batteries and child safety devices.

 

In addition, his government also plans to increase penalties for those who sell e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 18.

 

This decision was made on the basis of the world's leading legislation that had previously banned the sale of tobacco to anyone born after January 1, 2009. The legislation specified the allowable nicotine levels in tobacco and drastically reduced the number of retailers able to sell tobacco by over 90%, effectively creating the first smoke-free generation.

 

Luke Sen stated that he intends to maintain the current state of smoking as it is proving effective, and smoking rates have consistently decreased over the past decade.

 

We will continue to focus on reducing the smoking rate... We will persist in driving these efforts," he stated.

 

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

Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey, daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to a record low of 5.8% in 2025. Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia now has around 500,000 fewer daily smokers than three years ago and credited the government’s vaping reforms as part of broader progress. Among people aged 14 and over, daily smoking declined from 8.3% in 2022-23 to 5.6% in 2025. Daily vaping rates stabilised at 3.6%, while the government also moved to further restrict access to nicotine pouches through unapproved therapeutic import pathways.
Jul.21
Hawaii Restricts Vape Sales to FDA-Authorized Products, Disposable E-Cigarettes to Be Banned
Hawaii Restricts Vape Sales to FDA-Authorized Products, Disposable E-Cigarettes to Be Banned
Hawaii has enacted two new e-cigarette laws that significantly tighten market access requirements, requiring products to meet FDA authorization standards and banning disposable e-cigarette sales starting in 2027.
Jul.08
Italian Court Ends Six-Year Cigarette Excise Dispute, Rejecting Damages Claim
Italian Court Ends Six-Year Cigarette Excise Dispute, Rejecting Damages Claim
Italy’s Lazio Regional Administrative Court has dismissed an appeal by Italian Tobacco Manufacturing and Manifattura Italiana Tabacco over the cigarette excise calculation mechanism, upholding the minimum tax burden rules and excluding compensation for smaller tobacco operators.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
South Korean Lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook Pushes Synthetic Nicotine Vape Probe, Highlighting Supply Chain and Tax Concerns
South Korean Lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook Pushes Synthetic Nicotine Vape Probe, Highlighting Supply Chain and Tax Concerns
South Korean lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook has again called for stronger government action against liquid synthetic nicotine vape manufacturers and sellers, alleging that some businesses may have avoided regulation through product labeling changes and corporate restructuring. According to Newsworks, JNILBO and other Korean reports, Jeong has held his third press conference on the issue, calling for a government-wide investigation. The dispute involves whether synthetic nicotine products should fall under tobacco regulations, tax implications and supply-chain transparency. South Korean government agencies have previously said some estimates of potential tax losses cannot be verified due to limited sales data.
Jul.27
Exclusive: China Tobacco Launches Locally Made MODEN FREE Nicotine Pouches in Indonesia
Exclusive: China Tobacco Launches Locally Made MODEN FREE Nicotine Pouches in Indonesia
2Firsts exclusively reports that China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial has launched MODEN FREE nicotine pouches in Indonesia. The locally manufactured product is sold through Sixhill, a next-generation tobacco channel under CFU Group, at about $1.80 per 18-pouch can. The launch moves China Tobacco’s nicotine pouch activity beyond trade-show displays and testing into local production and public retail.
Jul.16
Australia’s TGA Places Nicotine Pouches Under Therapeutic Goods Rules From July 24, Blocking Imports of Unapproved Products
Australia’s TGA Places Nicotine Pouches Under Therapeutic Goods Rules From July 24, Blocking Imports of Unapproved Products
Australia is strengthening controls on nicotine pouches under its existing therapeutic goods regulatory framework. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), nicotine pouch products must meet regulatory requirements, and unapproved products cannot be legally imported. The move follows Australia’s broader approach of maintaining strict oversight of nicotine products, including nicotine-containing vapes. As nicotine pouches expand globally, Australia’s regulatory approach highlights growing differences in how countries manage emerging smoke-free nicotine products.
Regulations
Jul.27