The New Zealand Ministry of Health announced that the ban was being introduced with the intention of reducing adolescent vaping – the similar flawed reasoning behind the UK’s old Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The new regulations will prohibit the manufacture and sale of all non-rechargeable and non-refillable vapes, including single-use containers such as pre-filled tanks, pods, and cartridges.

The World Vapers’ Alliance has warned that this decision could have detrimental effects on public health, potentially reversing the progress New Zealand has made in reducing conventional smoking.

Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy Manager at the World Vapers’ Alliance, commented: “Preventing teenagers from using nicotine products is essential, and strict age regulations should be enforced to achieve this goal. However, banning disposable vapes and various pod systems for adult consumers will have negative public health implications and jeopardise the progress towards a smoke-free society achieved in the last decade. This approach fails to recognise the vital role disposable vaping products play in helping smokers transition away from cigarettes.”

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