NZ government shifting to e-cigs

The New Zealand government has agreed in principle that, with ‘appropriate controls’ in place, nicotine for electronic cigarettes should be legally available, according to a scoop.co.nz story.

Currently nicotine may be imported only for personal use, which can create insurmountable barriers for smokers trying to switch to vaping.

“The Associate Minister of Health, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has made the right decision,” said End Smoking’s chairperson, associate professor Marewa Glover. “He has listened with compassion to smokers and vapers. We are so relieved that our pragmatic nature as a country has triumphed over the negative misinformation and unfounded fears that have dominated the debate for too long.”

Long-time advocate of electronic cigarettes with nicotine, Dr. Murray Laugesen, said that he was “absolutely delighted” with the decision. “This will be a turning point that will have a significant impact on reducing the death and disease caused by smoking,” he said.

“It also gives us a real shot at achieving Smokefree 2025.”

The Ministry of Health is calling for submissions on how to legislate electronic cigarette products and what regulations or controls need to be in place.

In a note posted on its website, the ministry described electronic cigarettes as a relatively new and evolving product. ‘Currently, the sale and supply of nicotine e‑cigarettes are prohibited, while smoked tobacco, which is more harmful for users, can be sold legally,’ it said.

‘Users obtain nicotine e‑cigarettes through importation and illegal local sales.

‘The existing provisions for the regulation of e‑cigarettes, found primarily in the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 (SFEA) and the Medicines Act 1981, are not adequate. The legal status of e‑cigarettes is currently confusing and, as a consequence, the laws are not routinely enforced.

‘The risks and benefits of e‑cigarettes are uncertain but there is emerging evidence that e‑cigarette use may substantially reduce the burden of disease caused by smoking.’

The ministry went on to say that it was consulting on policy options for the regulation of e‑cigarettes, including possible amendments to the SFEA. This consultation aimed to clarify the legal position.

Written submissions should be emailed to ecigarettes@moh.govt.nz.