NZ Attracts Global Criticism

New Zealand has been recognised as a global leader in tobacco harm reduction, with vaping playing a crucial role in reducing smoking rates. The proposed ban on closed system vapes, which are popular among those transitioning from smoking, threatens to reverse this progress. 

Prominent British tobacco harm reduction advocate Clive Bates expressed disappointment with New Zealand's decision to ban disposable vapes. 

Bates said: “This hasty response to the moral panic surrounding youth vaping threatens to undermine New Zealand’s otherwise exemplary success.” 

Australian tobacco harm reduction advocate Dr Mendelsohn criticised New Zealand's decision as a “serious mistake”. He argued that the ban on disposable vapes was a reaction to moral panic over youth vaping and warned that it could undermine New Zealand's success in tobacco control. Mendelsohn urged New Zealand to learn from Australia's failures with its prescription-only vape policy and reconsider its approach. 

Closer to home, Dr Marewa Glover, a behavioural scientist and tobacco harm reduction advocate, said: “The ban on non-refillable e-liquid pods and cartridges directly undermines a product characteristic that helped make vaping one of the most popular and effective aids to stopping smoking.”

Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates, commented: “Vaping has been a key factor in the rapid decline of smoking in New Zealand. The smoking rate fell from 11.9% in 2020 to 6.8% in 2023, largely due to the accessibility and effectiveness of vaping products. By banning closed system vapes, the government risks making it harder for people who smoke to access these effective smoking cessation tools.” 

CAPHRA is urging the New Zealand government to reconsider the proposed ban on closed system vapes and instead focus on policies that support adult smokers in their journey to quit smoking. 

“The government should prioritise evidence-based approaches that balance youth protection with adult access to harm reduction tools,” continued Ms Loucas. 

CAPHRA says it stands ready to collaborate with New Zealand policymakers to develop strategies that safeguard public health while keeping the momentum towards a smoke-free New Zealand. 

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Advocates is a regional alliance of consumer tobacco harm reduction advocacy organisations. Its mission is to educate, advocate and represent the right of adult alternative nicotine consumers to access and use of products that reduce harm from tobacco use.

CAPHRA remains committed to advocating for the rights of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region to access and use evidence-based, regulated, and properly marketed harm reduction products as a means of reducing the devastating impact of smoking-related diseases. 

It says: “We encourage further research, open dialogue, and collaboration with governments, health organisations, and stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcomes for public health.”

References:

• The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Advocates - https://caphraorg.net/

Dave Cross

Journalist at POTV

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Dave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.