Parliamentary Debate on Youth Vaping Legislation

In a recent debate concerning the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2), Members of Parliament from various parties discussed measures aimed at reducing youth vaping in New Zealand. The discussions highlighted both support for the bill's provisions and concerns about its scope and implementation.

Addressing Youth Vaping Concerns

Dr Ayesha Verrall, representing Labour, underscored a significant rise in youth vaping since 2021, with rates increasing from under 2% to over 20% in some communities. She supported the bill's objectives, emphasizing bans on disposable vapes and increased penalties for illegal sales to minors.

Ricardo Menéndez March from the Green Party highlighted community advocacy as a driving force behind the bill. He noted ongoing concerns about vaping prevalence among youth, particularly in low-income neighborhoods and communities with high Māori and Pacific populations.

Amendments and Bill Provisions

Cameron Luxton of ACT supported the ban on disposable vapes but expressed concern over potential negative outcomes from allowing only refillable devices, which might lead individuals back to smoking traditional cigarettes. He advocated for robust enforcement mechanisms to prevent such scenarios.

Sam Uffindell from National praised the collaborative efforts in refining the bill through the select committee process. A significant amendment was the exclusion of cartridge and pod-based vapes from the ban, addressing concerns that this could drive smokers back to cigarettes due to lack of alternatives.

Broader Regulatory Scope and Enforcement

Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan from the Green Party supported the bill but criticized its limited scope. He called for broader regulatory measures, such as a sinking lid on vape retailers and expanded advertising restrictions, including social media platforms.

Dr Hamish Campbell from National discussed balancing reducing smoking rates with preventing youth vaping. He advocated for gradual regulatory changes to ensure that smokers do not revert to cigarettes while addressing the rise in youth vaping.

Emphasis on Enforcement

Cameron Luxton emphasized the need for enhanced enforcement by vape smoke-free officers and supported increased fines as a deterrent against selling vapes to minors. Dr Hamish Campbell agreed, highlighting the importance of higher fines to make prosecution more favorable compared to its cost.

The debate reflected widespread support for measures aimed at curbing youth vaping while recognizing the need for broader regulatory approaches and stringent enforcement to ensure compliance with new regulations.

Key Dates and Data

• 2021: Marked a significant increase in youth vaping rates, rising from under 2% to over 20% in certain communities.
• March 6: Briefings on vaping and youth vaping were held, marking the beginning of discussions on this issue.
• The bill's provisions include bans on disposable vapes and increased penalties for illegal sales to minors, aiming to address these concerns effectively.