New Zealand's tobacco law aims to provide safer electronic cigarette products for smokers while ensuring that these products are not sold to minors.
Nancy Loucas, co-founder of New Zealand e-cigarette advocacy group Aotearoa Vapers (AVCA), has stated that two years after the Tobacco Amendment Act was passed in the country, it has proven to be an effective piece of legislation. However, she also believes that more needs to be done to curb the illegal actions of retailers.
She said that the bill aims to encourage smokers to switch to safer alternatives, such as electronic cigarettes, and ensure that these products are not sold to minors. However, more work is being done to prevent some retailers from illegally selling products to minors.
If young people using electronic cigarettes is a problem, then the solution is not to change the law. The solution lies in the responsibility of parents and the enforcement of regulatory agencies. Harsh penalties can be imposed on retailers caught selling to minors," said Loucas.
Loucas reiterated that New Zealand's tobacco control strategy should adopt a management model similar to that of its neighbor, Australia, which has strict regulations on electronic cigarettes. New Zealand aims to achieve a smoke-free status by 2025, with a smoking rate of less than 5%. By contrast, Australia's ban on retailing nicotine e-cigarette products and strict monitoring of retailers have ensured that smoking rates have not increased in recent years.
Meanwhile, according to a report by the New Zealand Parliament's Health Select Committee on amendments to the Smoke-free Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill prior to December 1st, "Governments, politicians and officials from around the world continue to endorse New Zealand's goal of halving smoking rates and support its smoke-free work. The adoption of THR public health approach helps New Zealand to eliminate tobacco and save thousands of lives each year," summarized Loucas.
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