Update on proposed new vaping regulations
Government has recently released proposed changes in the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) as part of its efforts to curb youth vaping.
There are essentially four main areas of change which NZACS has based its submission around.
- Higher penalties, more enforcement and tightening of on-line age verification – NZACS supports
- Location restrictions on new specialised vape store within specified distances of educational facilities, mara etc. – NZACS is neutral
- Removal of single use vapes and potentially Pods – NZACS supports the ban on disposables but is strongly against removal of Pods as they represent around 85% of the business in general retailers and is by far the preferred method of vaping for smokers endeavouring to quit cigarettes. This would potentially leave only “open systems” available to users and retailers.
- Retail display ban on vaping products. NZACS opposes this on the basis that Vaping products are potentially being treated the same as tobacco and should benefit from visibility as an alternative to smoking.