“Dr Verrall understands better than anyone that to eradicate the harm from combustible tobacco, viable safer nicotine products must be available for smokers to successfully make the switch,” says Ms Loucas.   

Her comments follow new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins elevating Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to number eight in the Cabinet, naming her as Minister of Health. She is also now Minister for Research, Science, and Innovation. Previously, she was Associate Health Minister. 

“The Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act was Dr Verrall’s baby. It will decrease the number of retail outlets able to sell tobacco, reduce the appeal of cigarettes, and ensure the next generation is never sold tobacco,” she says.

Ms Loucas says during last year’s debates, Dr Verrall was determined to keep her eye on the prize and not relitigate the 2020 vaping legislation despite pressure from lobby groups. 

“She appreciates the role of vaping in Smokefree 2025 and remains 100% focused on combustible tobacco – the real scourge and killer in our society,” says Ms Loucas. 

CAPHRA points to Dr Verrall’s comments last year, when she reiterated the importance of providing Kiwi adults’ access to safer nicotine products: ‘We need to continue supporting people who smoke tobacco to successfully switch to less harmful products,’ said the then Associate Health Minister. 

New Zealand’s THR strategy is working well. Last year, it was revealed that New Zealand’s smoking rate had fallen to an historic low of 8% of adults smoking daily. It has more than halved in the past decade. 

“We just ask the new Minister not to buy into the growing manufactured hysteria around nicotine. Nicotine vaping doesn’t kill. Rather, it’s combustible cigarettes that lead to 5,000 Kiwis dying from smoking-rated illness each year,” she says.

Ms Loucas also calls on the new Health Minister to ensure greater compliance of the retail rules via the Vaping Regulatory Authority.

“We need more resources directed towards enforcement to stop the likes of rogue retailers selling vape products to minors. We also need to see greater parental responsibility,” she says.

“Dr Verrall knows that vaping products are key, and Kiwis quitting smoking must be able to maintain comparable nicotine levels. Nicotine vaping is the best way for individuals to quit cigarettes and for New Zealand to achieve smokefree. The country’s new, progressive Health Minister will also be a big help,” says Nancy Loucas.   To have your say, before 5pm on 15 March, on the latest ‘Proposals for the Smoked Tobacco Regulatory Regime’, visit https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/proposals-smoked-tobacco-regulatory-regime

AVCA co-founder, Nancy Loucas, agrees with the overall intent of the bill to help New Zealand achieve smokefree. She has concerns, however, about convenience stop owners flouting the law as has been seen in pockets since the 2020 vaping regulations and restrictions.

“ Making new regulations without consistent and effective enforcement is an exercise in futility. There will be push back from some convenience store operators who have already shown by selling vaping products to minors that they are more concerned with revenue than the public good,” says Ms Loucas.

In Budget 2021 the Government boosted funding for health promotion programmes and to scale up stop-smoking services. Budget 2022 then saw additional funding to establish a tobacco products regulator and support the implementation of the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan.

“Vaping is saving thousands of Kiwi adult smokers’ lives, but it gets a lot of negative media coverage because too many minors are still getting their hands on vaping products. Those born in 2009 or after are fast becoming teenagers. Subsequently, many will try to access cigarettes and the sanctions to retailers who sell to them must be high, with stings regular and well resourced,” she says.

AVCA says it supports in principle creating a smokefree generation but is concerned around the legalities of restricting one consumer product to a cohort of Kiwis once they’ve reach adulthood. The move could also fuel an already existing black market and only entice more youth to rebel.

Ms Loucas says while supportive in principle, very low nicotine cigarettes could also be a human rights violation with AVCA strongly believing all adults have the right to make informed choices. The move too could see people heading to the black market or growing their own tobacco.

“The Government needs to make sure the smokefree generation move holds up legally. Very low nicotine cigarettes should also be phased in over say five years. Yes to limiting and registering tobacco retailers. If they are then caught selling to minors, they should lose their licence forthwith. No ifs, not buts, no maybes. We will only beat youth smoking and reach Smokefree 2025 if this new tougher tobacco regime is rigorously enforced,” says Ms Loucas.

AVCA says since the vaping regulations took effect, Kiwi smokers have continued to access every tobacco brand under the sun in thousands of outlets, while popular adult vape flavours have been limited to just three in general retail. The latest bill, it believes, will help level the playing field, giving smokers more motivation and ease the switch to safer nicotine products.

“I’m pleased the Government is set to roll out a new quit-smoking campaign later this year and we’re delighted that vaping continues to be a key tool in official smoking cessation messaging and programmes. Crunching tobacco access and appeal is now well overdue,” says Nancy Loucas.

To read more about the smokefree amendment bill and to make a submission by 24 August, visit https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_125245/smokefree-environments-and-regulated-products-smoked-tobacco

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.