Starting next year vaping products will be more closely regulated by the Government, with some restrictions similar to those already in existence for cigarettes, even if the product doesn't contain nicotine.
Proposed amendments to the Smoke-Free Environments Act 1990 will include a ban on vapes in bars, restaurants, schools and workplaces and restrictions on retail advertising the Government announced this afternoon.
A 12-page Cabinet paper outlining suggested changes also calls for a ban on flavours and colours that attract children and young people to vaping.
"Vaping is a significantly less harmful alternative to smoking and it has been used as an effective tool to quit smoking," Associate Health Minister Jenny Salesa said in a statement announcing the plan.
"However, it is not completely risk free and that’s why we need to make it as safe as possible and protect young people from taking it up," she added.
"This approach reflects the findings from the Ministry of Health’s public consultation in 2016, which showed overwhelming support for the continued prohibition of sales of vaping products to under 18 year olds."
Janesa Jeram of The New Zealand Initiative says a new report shows adults still lack multiple means of quitting smoking.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to give input on the proposed amendments next year.
Ms Salesa said the measures will be "another step toward achieving a smoke-free country by 2025". Smoking rates in New Zealand have dropped from 18.3 per cent of adults in 2014 to 13.8 per cent – about 529,000 people — in the most recent survey.
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