It has been almost a year since the new law restricting the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes went into effect.
The aim is to restrict the sale of highly appealing fruit and candy-flavored electronic cigarettes to only be sold in specialist e-cigarette shops, rather than at local gas stations, convenience stores, or supermarkets.
Dr. Ayesha Verrall, Deputy Minister of Health, announced these regulations as part of a smoke-free legislation aimed at protecting young people from the harmful effects of smoking.
Twelve months have passed and hundreds of specialized electronic cigarette shops are popping up, some of which are only a few meters away from elementary and high schools.
Since August 11, 2021, 697 electronic cigarette specialist retailers have been granted permission to operate in New Zealand since retailers were able to apply to become electronic cigarette specialists. This amounts to almost two licenses being issued daily.
Dr. Verrall expressed concern over the issuance of new licenses, but noted that these licenses are specifically for electronic cigarette specialty stores with more restrictions. She acknowledged an increase in marijuana use, particularly in the past year, and emphasized the need to take measures to enforce regulations and crack down on marijuana use through the tobacco control-focused smoke-free legislation.
Currently, there are two types of electronic cigarette retailers in New Zealand: regular retailers and e-cigarette specialty stores. Regular retailers are limited to selling only three specific flavors of inhalation products: tobacco, menthol, and mint. E-cigarette specialty stores are retailers that sell electronic cigarette products exclusively and are able to sell any flavor of e-cigarette product without being restricted by other specific limitations that apply to regular retailers. Dr. Verrall will be seeking more opinions on further issues, including whether or not e-cigarette specialty stores should be located near schools.
In her view, she had hoped it would become a tool for people to quit smoking, but that hasn't been the case. She stated, "We are seeing too many people start smoking earlier rather than quitting.
Dr. Verrall stated that the full impact of their comprehensive regulation is yet to be seen, but significant progress has been made in establishing regulatory systems surrounding the use of cannabis.
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