With the country’s vape flavour restrictions going into effect last August, local tobacco harm reduction advocates believe that the measure will make it harder for adult smokers to quit smoking.
With the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act going into force, New Zealand’s general retailers including service stations, supermarkets and convenience stores, are only allowed to to sell three vape flavours: menthol, mint, and tobacco.
“It’s crazy that Kiwis desperate to quit cigarettes can walk into a service station and buy any cigarette brand under the sun. They can’t, however, access the most popular vapes flavours. It makes no sense when vaping has been proven to be 95% less harmful than smoking,” said Jonathan Devery, co-owner of the largest Kiwi-owned vape companies, Alt New Zealand and VAPO.
Adult smokers and ex-smokers wanting to use their preferred flavours, such as fruit and dessert, will now have to find a registered specialist vape store online or in person, to purchase the products.
Diane Caruana – VapingPost – 2022-02-11.
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