Read articles from Oceania

October 10, 2025 by nzherald.co.nz

Health NZ's pilot programme provided vapes to 29 smoking cessation programs. Approximately 33% of 4326 individuals who quit smoking in seven months used the vaping kits. Health NZ is seeking quotes for more vapes to potentially continue the program permanently, depending on results. Vapes with various nicotine strengths and flavors are being requested. The pilot's success has prompted confidence in the continuation of supplying vapes. However, concerns have been raised by medical professionals and organizations regarding the approach of using vapes as a smoking cessation tool due to limited evidence supporting its efficacy and potential risks.

October 06, 2025 by aliveadvocacymovement.com

In Australia, tobacco harm reduction faces obstacles due to government policies and academic biases. Despite evidence supporting harm reduction, Australia bans regulated vaping products, leading to increased smoking rates. Academic advisors focus on fear campaigns, ignoring harm reduction benefits for smokers. The government's vaping ban causes chaos, pushing smokers towards black-market products. Australia's hypocritical stance penalizes adults trying to quit smoking, while profiting from tobacco sales. The closed-loop public health network disregards international research supporting harm reduction. To save lives, Australia needs transparency, evidence-based policies, and a shift towards harm reduction. Failure to change risks continued harm and moral victories at the expense of people's lives.

October 03, 2025 by gfn.tv

Australia’s vape prohibition is fueling a booming illicit market—while New Zealand’s regulated approach sees smoking rates fall faster. In this GFN 2025 conversation, Fiona Patten speaks with Rohan Pike and Asa Saligupta about what’s broken in tobacco control, what actually works in harm reduction.

September 26, 2025 by tga.gov.au

A two-day blitz on Chapel Street retailers by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Victoria Police resulted in the seizure of over $40,000 worth of illegal vaping products and more than 24,000 nicotine pouches. Police also confiscated 110,000 illicit cigarettes, 40 kg of loose tobacco, and cash. The crackdown, part of the National Vaping Enforcement Framework, aims to combat the illegal supply of vaping goods and disrupt organised crime. The TGA emphasised the importance of protecting young people’s health, while Victoria Police highlighted that illicit tobacco profits often fund violent crimes such as arson, firearms use, and extortion.

September 26, 2025 by tga.gov.au

A two-day blitz on Chapel Street retailers by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Victoria Police resulted in the seizure of over $40,000 worth of illegal vaping products and more than 24,000 nicotine pouches. Police also confiscated 110,000 illicit cigarettes, 40 kg of loose tobacco, and cash. The crackdown, part of the National Vaping Enforcement Framework, aims to combat the illegal supply of vaping goods and disrupt organised crime. The TGA emphasised the importance of protecting young people’s health, while Victoria Police highlighted that illicit tobacco profits often fund violent crimes such as arson, firearms use, and extortion.

September 26, 2025 by tga.gov.au

A two-day blitz on Chapel Street retailers by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Victoria Police resulted in the seizure of over $40,000 worth of illegal vaping products and more than 24,000 nicotine pouches. Police also confiscated 110,000 illicit cigarettes, 40 kg of loose tobacco, and cash. The crackdown, part of the National Vaping Enforcement Framework, aims to combat the illegal supply of vaping goods and disrupt organised crime. The TGA emphasised the importance of protecting young people’s health, while Victoria Police highlighted that illicit tobacco profits often fund violent crimes such as arson, firearms use, and extortion.

September 11, 2025 by rnz.co.nz

Changes to warning labels for tobacco, nicotine, and alcohol are under review by David Seymour's Ministry for Regulation. Public health groups expressed concerns, but Seymour indicated no plans to exclude these products. He mentioned the potential for altering label designs, citing an example of the color red used for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder warnings. Seymour acknowledged cost implications for businesses complying with label requirements. Health advocates stressed the importance of existing warning labels, especially for tobacco and nicotine products. The Ministry is gathering industry feedback through surveys. Concerns were raised about potentially reducing the effectiveness of warning labels on harmful products.

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.

September 03, 2025 by vocal.media

Australia’s tobacco industry is shifting as more consumers turn to e-cigarettes. The e-cigarette market, valued at US$ 572.1 million in 2024, is projected to reach US$ 1,479.6 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.1%. E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid containing nicotine and flavorings, simulating smoking without burning tobacco, thus avoiding tar and many harmful chemicals found in conventional cigarettes.

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.