Read articles from New Zealand

April 24, 2025 by blogspot.com

An electronic cigarette researcher from Auckland University's Bio Engineering Institute is telling the public that when people use e-cigarettes, their lungs become coated with oil, leading to inflammation that eventually causes lung disease. According to an article in RNZ, the professor is quoted as stating: "Every time you vape, some of that will stay inside your lungs, so the e-liquids that are in vapes are sort of quite an oily substance. There'll be a lining of this oil that will stay inside your lungs and actually one of the things that is designed to get rid of that is the process of inflammation. It's when you have this inflammation occurring many times a day over many years, which is what leads to disease and tissue breakdown."

April 23, 2025 by rnz.co.nz

Four individuals involved in an illegal tobacco importing scheme in Gisborne were sentenced. Two men received home detention for defrauding Customs revenue and other charges, while an older couple was fined and ordered to pay court costs for their lesser roles. Customs discovered undeclared cigarettes and loose tobacco disguised as Chinese tea in airmail packages, totaling 306,200 cigarettes and 110kg of tobacco. The operation involved selling the goods in a restaurant. Customs' investigations led to the discovery of cash and tobacco products, resulting in charges under the Customs and Excise Act 2018. Customs Officer Bevan Cameron highlighted the significant duty evasion and fraud involved.

April 14, 2025 by phcc.org.nz

The Government aims for Smokefree 2025 but free vape kits may only help fewer than 500 quit smoking. Achieving the goal requires over 82,000 people to stop, especially in Māori and Pacific groups. The kits may assist long-term quitting, but the impact is limited. Policy changes are needed for significant reductions. Distributing all vape kits provided would see about 466 successfully quitting, a small fraction of the goal. To reach the target, denicotinisation could be key. Cost-effectiveness calculations suggest scaling up the program may fall short. Overall, urgent and evidence-based measures are necessary for substantial progress toward Smokefree 2025.

April 11, 2025 by filtermag.org

Tobacco harm reduction advocates face misinformation and smears, as shown by the recent conflict involving ASH NZ and ThreeNews in New Zealand. The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled against biased reporting and ordered corrective actions and costs. Similar experiences have been faced by THR advocate Dr. Mendelsohn in Australia. Such attacks undermine credibility and divert focus from important work. Despite controversial funding sources, advocates believe in the importance of evidence-based arguments. Ultimately, the harm reduction cause and smokers seeking help suffer the most from these smear campaigns. Promoting balanced and responsible discourse remains crucial in the field of harm reduction.

April 07, 2025 by rnz.co.nz

Researchers in New Zealand are investigating the long-term health effects of vaping, especially among youth who are increasingly using e-cigarettes. Concerns about the impact on respiratory health and potential diseases are growing, as vaping is relatively new compared to smoking. Studies have found various chemicals and heavy metals in vape aerosols, raising safety questions. Efforts to address vaping addiction include proposing plain, tobacco-flavored vapes to reduce the appeal to young users. New Zealand's upcoming regulations will ban disposable vapes and limit displays in stores, aligning with research efforts to understand the health implications of vaping.

April 01, 2025 by rnz.co.nz

Tobacco excise tax in New Zealand has increased over the years, leading to a rise in prices and a decline in legal consumption. Revenue dropped while seizures of illegal cigarettes at the border increased. High prices may be driving consumers to the black market. Vaping is seen as a more accessible and affordable alternative. Tax has been effective in reducing smoking rates but is becoming burdensome for low-income households. Strategies to make safer alternatives like vaping more affordable are crucial. The impact of high taxes on the smoking population and illicit tobacco consumption needs continued evaluation to balance public health goals with social consequences.

March 21, 2025 by theconversation.com

E-cigarette companies like British American Tobacco lobbied to loosen vape regulations in NZ and Australia. They argue vaping is replacing smoking based on a 2020 study. However, a new study found vaping slowed the decline in youth smoking rates since 2010. The 2020 study didn't consider this and influenced policy decisions. Research suggests vaping may lead to smoking uptake in NZ adolescents, emphasizing the need for comprehensive policies addressing both vaping and smoking. Policymakers globally should be cautious of unintended consequences on youth when crafting regulations around vaping products for adults.

March 05, 2025 by gfn.tv

New Zealand's acceptance of safer nicotine products has spearheaded an unprecedented drop in smoking rates in its indigenous communities - can its neighbour Australia leaern a thing or two from New Zealand's success? In this latest episode of GFN News Will Godfrey joins us to highlight a recent paper by Colin Mendelsohn exploring New Zealand's plummeting smoking rates.

February 17, 2025 by theconversation.com

The smokefree generation law in New Zealand aimed to end tobacco sales to those born after a specific date to phase out smoking. The law had strong support but was repealed by the government. Different approaches, including a nicotine-free generation policy, are being considered globally, while NZ lags. Young vapers see benefits in a nicotine-free policy, as they struggle to quit due to easy access and marketing. They prefer regulation to protect them from vaping. Some worry about enforcement challenges. Discussions are needed on adopting progressive smokefree policies recognizing the impact of the changing nicotine market on youth wellbeing. Reducing vaping's availability and appeal is crucial for future policy.

February 14, 2025 by medicalxpress.com

Two professionals' study in the Addiction journal compared smoking rates in Australia and New Zealand, finding faster declines in New Zealand. They attribute this to New Zealand's less restrictive vaping regulations. The research suggests that increasing access to nicotine vaping products could benefit public health and reduce smoking rates, especially among disadvantaged populations. The restrictive vaping model in Australia might lead to a thriving black market. The study recommends less strict regulations, such as licensed retail sales, age verification, and limited advertising, to balance reducing youth access and encouraging smokers to switch to vaping. Implementing a more permissive policy similar to New Zealand could help improve public health outcomes and curb the illicit vape market.