The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is thrilled to announce that New Zealand has achieved its Smokefree 2025 goal well ahead of schedule, with smoking rates plummeting to unprecedented lows.

Recent data from the New Zealand Health Survey reveals that smoking rates have fallen dramatically, particularly among youth. The decline has been so significant that statisticians now struggle to accurately measure the small proportion of young smokers due to sample size limitations.

Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, commented on this remarkable achievement:

“New Zealand’s success in reducing smoking rates is a testament to the country’s progressive approach to tobacco harm reduction. By embracing vaping and other less harmful alternatives, we’ve seen smoking rates drop from 11.9% in 2020 to an astounding 6.8% in 2023. This is a clear indication that our strategy is working.”

The success is particularly notable among young people, with youth smoking rates reaching historic lows. “The fact that we’re having difficulty measuring youth smoking rates due to their minuscule prevalence is a cause for celebration,” Loucas added. “It’s a clear sign that we’re winning the battle against smoking-related harm.”

Despite this undeniable success, some in the tobacco control and public health sectors seem reluctant to acknowledge the effectiveness of New Zealand’s approach. Loucas expressed her frustration with this attitude:

“It’s perplexing that some individuals in tobacco control can’t seem to accept our successful strategy. We’ve achieved what many thought impossible, yet instead of celebrating, they’re focusing on potential issues with vaping. We need to recognise this victory and continue supporting policies that have proven effective in reducing smoking rates.”

CAPHRA urges policymakers and health advocates worldwide to look to New Zealand as a model for successful tobacco harm reduction. The organisation emphasises the importance of embracing evidence-based approaches that include a range of less harmful alternatives to smoking.

“Our success story should be a wake-up call for countries like Australia who are still clinging to prohibitionist policies,” Loucas concluded. “It’s time to put aside preconceived notions and focus on what works – a pragmatic, harm-reduction approach that prioritises public health over ideology.”

CAPHRA remains committed to advocating for sensible policies that continue to drive down smoking rates while providing adult smokers with safer alternatives.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) issued a sharp critique 24 January 2024 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) for its exclusion of consumer groups and harm reduction advocates from the Tenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10).

“CAPHRA argues that this exclusionary practice is in stark contrast to the successful, pragmatic approaches of countries like New Zealand, the Philippines, and Malaysia, which have embraced vaping as a harm reduction tool,” said Nancy Loucas, a public health policy expert and passionate advocate for tobacco harm reduction and executive coordinator of CAPHRA.

The press release condemns the WHO FCTC’s COP10 meetings for silencing the voices of those who advocate for harm reduction strategies, such as vaping, which have been shown to significantly reduce smoking prevalence in countries where they are available and regulated.

CAPHRA points out that the prohibitionist approach of countries like Australia, which recently banned vaping products, is not in the best interest of public health.

“CAPHRA calls on FCTC officials to open their minds to harm reduction and to consider the evidence from countries like New Zealand, where smoking rates have decreased due to the availability of regulated vaping products,” said Ms Loucas.

The organisation stresses the importance of including consumer groups in the decision-making process, as they provide essential insights into the needs of smokers and how alternative products can be used effectively.

“Concerns raised by EU member states about being excluded from negotiations at COP10 and the need for transparency and inclusivity in discussions that impact public health.”

CAPHRA’s criticism aligns with reports that the WHO is influenced by special interest groups and that the FCTC has become restrictive in its engagement with NGOs, creating an echo chamber that ignores the potential benefits of harm reduction strategies. “CAPHRA urges the WHO FCTC to re-evaluate its stance on harm reduction and to engage with all stakeholders, including consumer groups, to develop effective tobacco control policies that prioritise public health and respect the Right to Health,” Ms Loucas said.

Firstly, Nancy evaluates the latest tobacco and e-cigarette regulations proposed by the New Zealand government, describing them as an attempt to reduce smoking rates in a more innovative and progressive way. The new regulations focus on protecting children, but the actual issues lie more in the enforcement of laws rather than the e-cigarette products themselves. She emphasizes that the core problem is not the e-cigarettes themselves, but rather how to better enforce existing laws.

New Zealand has recently implemented the “Generational End Game” policy, aimed at reducing smoking rates in the long term. However, there seems to be an overlap with the new legislation in place. Nancy argues that considering New Zealand’s current low rates of teenage smoking, these new regulations might be excessive. Nonetheless, she believes that such legislation appears appealing and could have a positive impact.

In addition, Nancy pointed out that there are obvious differences in e-cigarette policies between Australia and New Zealand. Compared to Australia’s conservative approach, New Zealand demonstrates a more open and progressive strategy. Interestingly, despite implementing a stricter medical model, Australia’s smoking rates have remained stagnant or even risen, while New Zealand has successfully reduced smoking rates. This to some extent reflects the effectiveness of the policies implemented.

During the final stage of the conversation, Nancy criticized Australia’s prescription model for e-cigarettes. This model treats regular consumers as patients or addicts, with doctors urging them to quit smoking, which ordinary consumers are often reluctant to accept. She also proposed that, in certain circumstances, people should be allowed to obtain e-cigarettes through medical means, especially for groups with a high demand for e-cigarettes, such as patients receiving treatment in mental health institutions. Policymakers should fully consider these special circumstances.

The original article, authored and published by 2FIRSTS, can be found here: https://www.2firsts.com/news/comparing-tobacco-and-e-cigarette-policies-in-new-zealand-and-australia

“Tobacco harm reduction advocates did warn MPs and officials from the outset that some may use the draft smokefree bill to try to relitigate the 2020 vaping legislation. The alarmist rhetoric by RNZCGP’s medical director served little use, did not reflect the facts, and much of his sentiment was well out of scope,” says Ms Loucas.

AVCA says while it was positive RNZCGP highlighted that vaping has a role to play as part of the country’s smoking cessation strategy, it’s concern about the number of rangitahi, or youth, taking up vaping who don’t smoke is without foundation.

Ms Loucas points to the latest ASH Year 10 Snapshot which surveyed 26,000 New Zealand students aged 13 and 14 years old on their smoking and vaping behaviour and attitudes.

“Unsurprisingly, vaping was up but importantly it is not hooking non-smoking youth. Just three percent of those who vape daily have never smoked. What’s more, while many may try it, very few ever become regular vapers,” she says.

ASH’s 2021 survey also found just 1.3% of year 10s are smoking daily, down from 2% in 2019.

“No one wants minors vaping. AVCA has been calling for greater parental responsibility and for enforcement when rogue retailers are caught selling to under 18 year olds. However, let’s not overplay the number of non-smoking kids taking up vaping. It is very, very few. School vapers are overwhelmingly young people who were smoking in the first place,” she says.

Ms Loucas says this fact is not isolated. An extensive survey released last month by Britain’s ASH showed of their 4.3 million vapers, about 2.4 million are ex-smokers, 1.5 million are current smokers, and 350,000, or eight percent, have never smoked a cigarette.

AVCA says it is disappointing that RNZCGP says there is no data or research on the potential long-term effects of vaping.

“Vaping has been around for nearly two decades and has been key to New Zealand’s smoking rate halving in recent years. If vaping was as damaging as the RNZCGP speculates, our hospitals and mortuaries would be full of vapers. Instead, 5,000 Kiwis continue to die from smoking-related illnesses every year, and not one New Zealander has reportedly died from vaping. Science supports vaping, as do consumers’ lifesaving experiences,” she says.

RNZCGP tried to raise alarm about nicotine addiction – something AVCA says academics at the University of Otago are also drumming up in their quest to phase nicotine out of New Zealand society altogether.

“Nicotine may be addictive, but it won’t kill you. RNZCGP needs to keep its focus on crunching combustible tobacco. After all, it’s the smoke that’s the main source of cancer-causing toxic chemicals.

AVCA agrees that more should be done to protect rangitahi from taking up vaping, but it won’t be achieved through more regulations.

“Vaping is now a sanctioned R18 product, all advertising has been banned, packaging and displays are heavily restricted, and only three flavours can be purchased from general retail. If we are serious about protecting our rangitahi, we need the Government to now move from retailer education to enforcement and for parents to step up,” says Ms Loucas.

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Billlimits the number of retailers able to sell smoked tobacco products, aims to make tobacco products less appealing and addictive, and prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone born in 2009 or after.

Parliament’s Health Select Committee continues to hear from submitters and review public feedback. AVCA supports the overall intent of the bill.

“New Zealand backs vaping as a very effective smoking cessation tool and thankfully adults desperate to quit cigarettes have a viable and considerably less harmful alternative. Smokefree 2025 is in sight and the right policy mix will achieve it,” says Nancy Loucas

About AVCA
AVCA was formed in 2016 by vapers across New Zealand wanting their voices heard in local and central government. All members are former smokers who promote vaping to help smokers quit – a much less harmful alternative to combustible tobacco products. AVCA does not have any affiliation or vested interest in industry – tobacco, pharmaceutical and/or the local vaping manufacturing or retail sectors.

With the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act passing last year, general retailers such as supermarkets, service stations and convenience stores can now only sell three flavours – mint, menthol and tobacco.

Smokers and ex-smokers wanting to access the most popular adult flavours, such as fruit and dessert, will need to find a registered specialist vape store online or in person.

“If we are to reduce tobacco harm in society, we need to ensure assess to safer nicotine alternatives like vaping is easier, not harder. This is a totally misguided move that won’t help the kids and only punishes the adult Kiwis desperate to quit the cancer sticks,” says Nancy Loucas, co-director of the Government Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA).

Ms Loucas says big steps have already been taken to safeguard New Zealand’s minors from accessing vaping.

Since the vaping legislation was passed in 2020, it has been illegal to sell vapes and vaping liquids to anyone under 18 years of age. Consumer marketing and advertising has been banned, with much tougher rules around the likes of packaging, displays and signage.

“A full range of cigarettes and tobacco products remain widely available in supermarkets, service stations and dairies. Yet, from 11 August, adults can’t readily access their favourite vape flavours from those same retailers. Full access to deadly combustible cigarettes and limited access to safer alternatives is a shocking public health policy,” she says.

AVCA has long supported the formalisation of vaping as an R18 activity and mandatory product safety standards. However, it describes this latest regulation as over the top and hitting the wrong target.

“Point of sale is where the Government needs to get tough. Some serious penalties now apply for retailers who sell to minors. The Government needs to move from educating retailers about the new laws to enforcement,” she says.

Ms Loucas says the overwhelming number of retailers are responsible, requesting age identification. Any who aren’t, need the book thrown at them.

AVCA now looks forward to Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall’s soon to be released Smokefree Aotearoa action plan.

“Key to getting New Zealand back on track with its 10-year smokefree ambition is elevating vaping as the go-to smoking cessation tool. Ensuring fair adult access to a wide range of vape products needs to be a big part of it.

“If this latest move slows down our national goal to be smokefree, as AVCA predicts, then the Government’s needs to be prepared to do the right thing and reverse it,” says Nancy Loucas.

Her comments follow a story on Maori television show, The Hui. It investigated ‘the uptake of vaping amongst rangatahi (younger generation), which is leading to stand-offs at home and stand-downs at school.’

“Vaping by minors is completely unacceptable. However, let’s not forget that vaping products are strictly R18 following last year’s Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act.

“The Government now needs to get really tough at the point of sale, applying the toughest penalties available for those caught selling or supplying to minors,” she says.

The leading Tobacco Harm Reduction advocate says ongoing claims of vape flavours and marketing aimed at attracting youth is not matched by the new regulatory reality.

“Last year all vaping advertising was completely axed. The legislation also ensures tougher regulations around packaging, promotions, and displays. Next month, substantial flavour restrictions take effect,” she says.

From 11 August, general retailers – such as supermakets, service stations, and dairies – will only be permitted to sell three favours: mint, menthol, and tobacco. Specialist registered vape stores can still sell a wider range of flavours.

Ms Loucas says despite some best attempts to create a crisis of youth vaping, the anecdotes are not reflected in any significant empirical evidence to date.

University of Auckland researchers last year examined a survey of over 27,000 secondary school students. Researchers found only 0.8% of 14 and 15-year-olds, who had never smoked, were regular vapers. Subsequently, they confirmed there was no youth vaping epidemic in New Zealand.

ACVA argues the Government’s blunt approach to making vaping much less appealing and attainable for young New Zealanders will sadly see fewer Kiwi adults successfully quit smoking through vaping.

“When you start removing popular adult vape flavours where cigarettes are sold, you slowdown smokefree. When saturate the media with stories perpetuating lies that vaping is bad for your lungs and its long-term impact on people’s health remains unknown, you wrongly give smokers a reason not to quit deadly cigarettes,” she says.

Vaping is scientifically deemed 95% less harmful than smoking, and widely accepted as the world’s most effective smoking cessation tool.

Ms Loucas says it’s important vaping’s key role in New Zealand achieving Smokefree Aotearoa is reflected in the soon to be finalised Ministry of Health vaping regulations and the Government’s smokefree action plan.

“Let’s not keep trashing the best thing we have to achieving smokefree. More than enough measures are in place to protect our rangitahi – or young people. We now just need all retailers to enforce the age restriction. The role of parents, whanau, and schools is also critical,” says Nancy Loucas.

Her comments follow a media investigation which revealed Customs is currently seizing around 125,000 smuggled cigarettes and 155 kilograms of loose tobacco every month.

New Zealand Customs describes it as a lucrative market. In fact, it’s thought to be eight times more profitable than cocaine – and one which has attracted organised crime. Large scale, commercial-grade cigarette smuggling operators are now well established.

It’s spurred on by the fact that New Zealand has the most expensive cigarettes for legal purchase in the world.

“With the Government set to get even tougher on the appeal and availability of legal cigarettes, there is a concern it will only lead to more illicit cigarette smuggling. It doesn’t have to be the case though, particularly if smokers are activity encouraged to switch to safer nicotine products,” says Nancy Loucas, co-director of the Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA).

Associate Health Minster Dr Ayesha Verrall is now finalising the Government’s Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan after releasing a discussion document for public consultation which closed on 31 May.

AVCA is highly supportive of getting tough on combustible tobacco given 5,000 Kiwis continue to die every year from smoking-related illnesses. It’s concerned, however, that the discussion document was light on vaping’s key role in achieving smokefree. It has pushed for vaping – the world’s most effective smoking cessation tool – to feature more in the final smokefree action plan.

“We’ve got to get more Kiwis successfully off the cancer sticks in the first place, otherwise many will head to the black market. If we can switch them from cigarettes to vaping, not only will it save countless lives, but it will put a hole in organised crime,” she says.

The head of AVCA says the latest media revelation exposing the sheer scale of cigarette smuggling completely discredits recent claims by University of Otago public health experts published on 27 May.

Titled ‘Illicit tobacco trade and the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Goal: Arguments and Evidence’, the research analysis concluded that ‘NZ’s illicit tobacco market is small and unlikely to grow substantially.’

“We knew they were wrong then, but they’ve now been proven woefully out of touch. They argue getting tougher on legal smoking won’t make much difference at the border. AVCA argues it will be an absolute nightmare for Customs, unless many more smokers are actively encouraged to switch to vaping,” says Nancy Loucas.