Read articles from New Zealand

July 24, 2024 by waateanews.com

A Māori Public Health Researcher Says Communications from Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Over Tobacco Policy Are at Odds with Advice from Her Ministry.

July 24, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is urging governments across the Asia Pacific region to follow New Zealand's lead and allow the sale of oral nicotine products as part of a comprehensive tobacco harm reduction strategy.

June 28, 2024 by rnz.co.nz

Australia will restrict vape sales to pharmacies, diverging from New Zealand's approach. This move prioritizes public health, utilizing pharmacists' expertise to support smokers transitioning to vaping. Despite concerns about stricter regulation compared to tobacco, limiting young people's access to vaping is essential. New Zealand faces rising youth vaping rates, necessitating comprehensive and proportional policies. Recent regulations struggled to curb vaping trends, highlighting the need for stricter measures like removing displays in retail outlets and restricting proximity to schools. Advocates urge reintroducing evidence-based regulations and aligning vaping policies with tobacco controls to safeguard youth from nicotine addiction.

May 24, 2024 by rnz.co.nz

A new study by the University of Canterbury found that approximately 30% of vape stores in the country are located within a five-minute walk of a school. The research identified a higher presence of vape stores in lower socio-economic areas and close to schools, with a significant difference among different areas. The study highlighted the need for further research on the impact of vape store exposure on youth vaping. New regulations have been introduced, restricting vape shop locations near schools and marae. The researchers created an interactive map for tracking vape store density. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing youth vaping trends.

May 22, 2024 by nzherald.co.nz

The Cook Islands are implementing stricter regulations on tobacco and vape products due to the rise of non-communicable diseases. The new laws include a ban on imitation tobacco products, raising the smoking age to 21, and hefty fines for non-compliance. The government aims to curb youth access to vaping devices and combat misinformation about their harmful effects. While some believe vaping offers a safer alternative to smoking, critics argue against infringing on individual rights and question the extent of smoking-related health issues in the Cook Islands. The legislation aligns with global health standards, with concerns about potential black market activity emerging once vaping is outlawed.

April 22, 2024 by mja.com.au

Repealing the Smokefree Act in Aotearoa New Zealand benefits the government by preserving tobacco excise revenue but also favors the tobacco industry. Despite strong opposition, the government repealed the Act, jeopardizing efforts to reduce smoking rates and health inequalities. The legislation aimed to create a tobacco-free generation through denicotinisation, limiting tobacco retailers, and banning cigarette sales to those born after 2008. Repealing the Act is criticized for prioritizing short-term economic gains over long-term public health benefits, disproportionately affecting Māori. The decision has been condemned as harmful to public health progress and economic well-being. Leaders emphasize the significance of ambitious tobacco policies for health, economic gains, and equity.

April 08, 2024 by sciencedirect.com

Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of early death. In 2022, New Zealand legislated to introduce three previously untried tobacco ‘endgame’ policies aimed at reducing demand for cigarettes and restricting supply. This study aimed to determine how a key stakeholder group, NZ adults with no intent or low belief that they could stop smoking by 2025, understood proposals to restrict nicotine in combustible tobacco and the number of tobacco retailers to a very low level, annually raise the age of purchase, set minimum prices, and ban filters.

March 25, 2024 by go.com

New Zealand said Wednesday it will ban disposable e-cigarettes, or vapes, and raise financial penalties for those who sell such products to minors. The move comes less than a month after the government repealed a unique law enacted by the previous left-leaning government to phase out tobacco smoking by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes. New Zealand’s Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said Wednesday that e-cigarettes remain “a key smoking cessation device” and the new regulations will help prevent minors from taking up the habit.

March 14, 2024 by newstalkzb.co.nz

The concept of nicotine pouches has seen a mixed response from the public and experts alike. Posts have been making the rounds on social media, influencers promoting flavoured products such as “zyn”, “buff”, and “ace” as a method to quit smoking and vaping. Public health experts are concerned, Sydney University’s Becky Freeman saying that the “wellness” influencers who promote these products are often unclear that its sponsored content. The sale of nicotine pouches was banned in New Zealand by the Labour Government in 2020, but importing from overseas remains legal as long as they are not sold on.

February 16, 2024 by filtermag.org

Australia's stringent anti-vaping stance has resulted in a thriving illicit market for vaping products, echoing the failures of drug bans in the past. Over 90% of Australia's 1.7 million adult vapers have turned to the illicit market due to harsh restrictions that require a nicotine prescription to vape legally. The illicit market in Australia is estimated to import 120 million unregulated vapes from China annually, with products sold openly without consumer protections. The profitability of illegal vapes has led to an intensifying turf war among organized trafficking networks, resulting in acts of violence and exploitation of marginalized recruits.