Wellington, 08.08.2024 — The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) is deeply concerned about New Zealand’s decision to ban disposable vape products. With the country close to becoming smoke-free, the WVA warns that this ban could undermine the progress made in reducing smoking rates.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health has announced the ban with the intention of reducing adolescent vaping. The new regulations 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 WVA warns 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, manager de politici la Alianța Mondială a Vaperilor, a comentat: “Împiedicarea utilizării produselor cu nicotină de către adolescenți este esențială, iar pentru a atinge acest obiectiv ar trebui aplicate reglementări stricte privind vârsta. Cu toate acestea, interzicerea țigărilor electronice de unică folosință și a diferitelor sisteme cu capsule pentru consumatorii adulți va avea implicații negative asupra sănătății publice și va pune în pericol progresul către o societate fără fum de fum realizat în ultimul deceniu. Această abordare nu recunoaște rolul vital pe care îl joacă produsele de vaping de unică folosință în a ajuta fumătorii să renunțe la țigări.”

Gómez Hernández further elaborated on the potential consequences of the ban:

“New Zealand’s progress toward becoming smoke-free is a prime example of how effective harm reduction strategies are. Unfortunately, this ban on all non-refillable vapes risks undermining that progress, making vaping less accessible to adult smokers seeking less risky alternatives to traditional tobacco.”

The World Vapers’ Alliance is calling on New Zealand’s health authorities to reconsider this prohibitionist approach and urges the government to maintain its commitment to progressive tobacco harm reduction strategies, which have proven effective in lowering smoking rates and improving public health outcomes.