The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ says the Government’s plan to use vaping starter kits to help adults quit smoking is “irresponsible” and fails to consider future health complications.
Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello recently announced more help will be available for people wanting to quit smoking for the New Year.
“We know more people try and quit over Christmas and New Year and smoking cessation providers are getting more tools to help smokers quit,” she said on December 31.
“Starting next week, the Stop Smoking Services around the country will be receiving vaping starter kits, which will be free and available to adults who smoke, which will particularly help those who have already tried other options to quit.
“Vaping has played a key role in reducing smoking rates and the government supports adults switching to vaping because vaping is far less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
“Clients will receive a vape device and one month’s supply of nicotine pods each month over a three-month period with continuing support from a stop smoking service.
“Those using quit smoking services are four times more likely to successfully stop smoking compared to those who receive no support, and this initiative provides the services with another tool.”
But Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ chief executive Letitia Harding says she has deep concerns about the plan, given vapes aren’t an approved product for smoking cessation.
“We’re concerned the Government is proceeding with this plan without fully understanding the long-term consequences.
“We support efforts to help smokers quit, but not by providing them with another product that can also be harmful.”
The lack of consultation with health experts and the lack of detail is concerning, Harding says.
“It leaves many questions unanswered. Why was there no meaningful consultation with independent health experts, other stakeholders and the wider community?”
She says it’s important there’s ongoing support for smokers-turned-vapers to quit vaping, but there was no indication that would be offered.
“What is the exit strategy? How will the Government ensure those who successfully quit smoking using vapes are not left trapped in a new addiction to nicotine?
“There needs to be a clear pathway for people to move away from nicotine altogether, and we see no evidence of that in the current proposal.”
The Smokefree 2025 plan aimed at reducing smoking rates should focus on evidence-based methods that help people quit nicotine entirely, Harding says.
“We urge the Government to rethink its approach. This cannot simply be about shifting smokers from one form of nicotine to another.”
Costello says New Zealand is a leader in reducing smoking, but it needs to reinvigorate its stop-smoking efforts and target the right people if it’s going to get the smoking rate below five per cent by the end of next year and achieve the Smokefree 2025 goals.
“The Getting to Smokefree 2025 plan is about providing the tools and resources that encourage more ‘quit smoking’ attempts by more people,” Costello says.
“We’re focused on pulling out all the stops to reduce daily smoking rates and to reduce the harm from smoking.
“Part of that is about reaching the right people with the right messages in the right way.
“We also want to ensure there’s access to a range of effective products and tools.
“I’m hoping we can provide a new device to providers soon and that the whole health sector works together to encourage referrals to stop smoking providers.”
