Read articles from New Zealand

September 03, 2025 by citynews.com.au

The black market for cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes in Australia is growing and leading to violence. Despite high cigarette prices, illegal supplies are popular, with a significant black market presence. Vaping restrictions have not been successful, prompting increased vaping black market activities. The high cigarette excise has unintended negative consequences, with estimates of a $10 billion annual revenue loss for the government. New Zealand's successful approach to promoting safer nicotine options over cigarettes highlights Australia's failure in tobacco and vaping policies. Suggestions include reducing cigarette excise and increasing availability of safer nicotine products. The tobacco industry is shifting towards smoke-free products, which are becoming more profitable. Australia should consider following NZ's lead in tobacco harm reduction policies to combat the black market.

August 28, 2025 by medicalxpress.com

Urgent regulatory action on vaping, particularly targeting device designs, is advised by Dr. Robin Quigg of University of Otago due to her research showing vaping's normalization among young Māori. The discreetness of devices encourages use in public places, driven by nicotine addiction. Quigg recommends stricter regulations, such as larger device sizes, therapeutic designs, and less appealing flavors. While these measures may help, additional steps are needed to reduce vaping's allure to young individuals, beyond device regulation according to the study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

August 28, 2025 by rnz.co.nz

Research by Dr. Robin Quigg from the University of Otago highlights how the discreet design of vaping devices allows young Māori to vape in prohibited areas, leading to normalization of vaping and nicotine addiction. The study emphasizes the urgent need for tighter regulations on vape device design, advocating for larger sizes, therapeutic designs, and less appealing odors. Despite many marae offering designated vaping areas, some sacred places like marae and wharenui are being disrespected. Quigg stresses the importance of implementing stricter regulations to curb the allure of vaping among young people in New Zealand.

August 11, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

New Zealand is on the cusp of becoming one of the first countries to go officially smoke-free – and it’s thanks to vaping and other safer nicotine alternatives, according to its Associate Minister of Health.

August 11, 2025 by mipod.com

While some countries are still battling over bans, taxes, and talking points, New Zealand is quietly on the brink of achieving something extraordinary: becoming one of the first truly smoke-free nations. And they didn’t do it with slogans or scare tactics—they did it with science, compassion, and harm reduction. 

August 11, 2025 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

International tobacco harm reduction experts at Smoke Free Sweden have applauded Casey Costello, New Zealand’s associate minister of health, for her staunch defence of safer nicotine alternatives that have brought her country to the brink of official ‘smoke-free’ status.

July 31, 2025 by tobaccoinsider.com

New Zealand’s government has extended its 50 % excise‑tax reduction on heated tobacco until July 2027 to encourage smokers to switch. The trial was inconclusive because Philip Morris’s IQOS device was briefly removed from sale under battery‑safety rules. Critics say the evidence for heated‑tobacco benefits is weak, while PMI argues HTPs are smoke‑free alternatives.

July 08, 2025 by theconversation.com

New Zealand promotes vaping to aid smoking cessation, with a study revealing challenges faced by vapers trying to quit. More than 1,000 surveyed individuals highlighted dependence on vapes, motivating factors to quit, and strategies used for cessation. Factors like health concerns and social influences contribute to relapse triggers, echoing smoking cessation challenges. Support resembling smoking cessation methods is crucial, suggesting tailored approaches for different demographics. While vaping initially served as a smoking substitute, it's now a standalone habit for some. A clinical trial focusing on vaping cessation is underway, emphasizing the need for dedicated support in addressing nicotine addiction.

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.