New Zealand government to ban disposable e-cigarettes

[March 20, 2024]  By Lucy Craymer

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - The New Zealand government said on Wednesday it will ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, increase fines on retailers that sell to those younger than 18 years old and better regulate retailers.

The New Zealand government has received significant criticism for rolling back a world-first law banning tobacco sales for future generations. It has said it is committed to reducing smoking but is just taking a different approach, including further regulations around vaping.

“While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rapid rise in youth vaping has been a real concern for parents, teachers, and health professionals,” said Casey Costello, associate minister of health.

Under the new rules, fines for retailers selling e-cigarettes to those under the age of 18 will increase, there were will be a review of the licensing of vaping retailers, and all disposable vapes will be banned.

Newly re-branded Elf-Bar disposable e-cigarette vape products are shown for sale in a vape store in Oceanside, California, U.S., November 30, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

“The coalition Government is committed to tackling youth vaping and to continue to drive down smoking rates to achieve the Smokefree goal of less than 5% of the population smoking daily by 2025,” Costello said.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

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