The Labour Government is seeking feedback on measures to help reduce the number of young people vaping.
There are numerous vape stores across east Auckland including in Howick, Pakuranga, and Botany.
Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall says youth vaping is becoming increasingly popular, with many choosing to vape despite never having smoked.
“Alongside our efforts to reduce tobacco smoking, we want to ensure vaping products are safe, regulated and are only being used for cessation purposes as intended.”
She says the Government is asking for community feedback on several proposals.
“The first proposal is to introduce proximity restrictions for all new specialist vape retailers, for instance so they are not near schools and sports grounds.
“These restrictions would not apply to general vape retailers such as dairies and petrol stations, which are already limited to the sale of three vape flavours.
“Secondly vaping flavour names could potentially be restricted to reduce the attraction of vaping products to young people.
“We are proposing vaping liquids and vape product packaging will be limited to a description of the product’s flavour and this complies with permitted flavour descriptions.”
Verrall says for example flavour names such as ‘cotton candy’ and ‘gummy bears’ may no longer be allowed, with a generic term ‘candy’ having to be used instead.
“Thirdly we’d also look to restrict single-use vaping products, which are cheaper and more easily accessible.
“It would mean all vaping products for sale would need to have removable/replaceable batteries, child safety mechanisms and substance container labelling.
“The maximum concentration of nicotine salts allowed in single-use products like disposable vapes would also be reduced from 50mg/mL to 35mg/mL and serial or batch numbers will be required to ensure they can be traced if there are safety concerns.”
Verrall says while there has been an increase in young people taking up vaping, the additional measures will work to protect youth from its appeal and attractiveness.
“Vaping has a role to play in ensuring smokers who wish to quit smoking can do so using vaping products, however youth vaping rates are too high and we need to strike a better balance.”
The consultation document is available on the Ministry of Health website with submissions closing at 5pm on March 15. Go online here for more information: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/proposals-smoked-tobacco-regulatory-regime
