New Zealand Advances Vaping Regulation with New Bill Aimed at Protecting Youth

In a significant legislative step towards achieving its Smokefree 2025 goals, the New Zealand Government has introduced the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2). Presented by Hon Casey Costello, Associate Minister of Health, during its second reading in Parliament, the bill seeks to address concerns surrounding youth vaping while maintaining support for adult smokers using vapes as cessation tools.

The introduction of this bill follows extensive public consultation, with over 850 submissions received, including 47 oral presentations. The government's commitment to reducing smoking rates and tackling youth vaping is evident in its approach to refining existing regulations.

Central to the bill's objectives is the protection of young people from vaping while ensuring that vapes remain accessible as a smoking cessation tool for adults. Despite the success in reducing smoking rates through adult switching to vapes, there remains significant concern over the rising number of young individuals engaging with vaping products.

The legislative changes proposed in the bill focus on four key areas: banning disposable vaping products, increasing penalties for underage sales, introducing visibility restrictions, and enhancing proximity restrictions for vape retailers. Disposable vapes are particularly targeted due to their popularity among minors, and their ban aims to remove these products from New Zealand's retail market.

To address illegal sales of regulated products, including cigarettes and vapes, to minors, the bill proposes significantly increased penalties. This change reflects the seriousness with which the government views breaches of retailer obligations in this area.

Visibility restrictions aim to reduce the normalization and attractiveness of vaping among young people by controlling how these products are displayed in retail environments. Additionally, new proximity restrictions require specialist vape retailers to be located at least 300 meters away from schools and marae, and 100 meters from early childhood centers, to limit young people's exposure.

The Health Committee played a crucial role in shaping the bill, particularly with its recommendation to modify the definition of "disposable vaping product". This adjustment ensures that pre-filled containers and pod system devices are not included in the ban, maintaining their availability for adult smokers seeking cessation solutions.

Further regulatory changes introduced by the bill include restrictions on free, gifted, or discounted vape products offered by specialist retailers, requirements for compliance with New Zealand's laws for online platforms, and the mandate that child safety mechanisms on vaping devices cannot be deactivated.

Hon Casey Costello emphasized the government's dedication to cracking down on youth vaping while supporting progress towards reducing smoking in New Zealand. The bill is part of a broader strategy to achieve Smokefree 2025, which includes bolstering monitoring, compliance, and enforcement regimes.

As New Zealand continues its journey toward becoming smoke-free by 2025, the government acknowledges the need for targeted interventions to support specific groups within society. Smoking cessation services remain vital in this effort, providing essential support for those looking to quit smoking.

In conclusion, the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) represents a critical step in New Zealand's public health strategy. By implementing balanced regulations that protect young people while supporting adult smokers, the government aims to ensure progress towards its smoke-free future is both inclusive and effective.