Budget 2021 should fund vaping ‘starter packs’ as in UK
Budget 2021 should supercharge ‘vape to quit’ smoking cessation programmes already well established across New Zealand’s health sector. In fact, adopting one initiative now underway at several NHS hospitals in the UK would be a brilliant step for Smokefree Aotearoa, says a leading tobacco harm reduction advocate. “Our Government is now determined to get Smokefree […]
Ex-smokers need to tell Govt the key to smokefree
Ex-smokers saved by vaping need to offer some personal insights if Smokefree Aotearoa is to be achieved and before the Government takes some very counter-productive steps, says a leading tobacco harm reduction advocate. “The Government is waving around its smokefree proposals, yet it’s tightening the screws on vaping – the world’s most effective smoking cessation […]
$1.6m on Vape to QuitStrong proves Govt knows what works
Confirmation that over $1.6 million is being spent on the Vape to QuitStrong campaign is proof the Government believes vaping is the most effective smoking cessation tool. It’s now urgent that belief is also reflected in the country’s final vaping regulations and smokefree action plan, says a leading tobacco harm reduction advocate. The Aotearoa Vapers […]
Vaping – a friend not foe to achieving Smokefree Aotearoa
By Nancy Loucas The Government’s Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan provides the country with the best opportunity to deliver on the 2011 national smokefree ambition. However, if we are to succeed, we need to use all the tools in our toolbox and follow the evidence, not the emotion. Thankfully, new Associate Health Minster Dr Ayesha […]
Govt’s smokefree plan overlooks vaping alternative
The Government’s discussion document on ‘Proposals For A Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan’ alarmingly reveals there’s little intention to elevate vaping as a much safer and cheaper alternative to smoking, says a leading tobacco harm reduction advocate. The discussion document was released today by Associate Health Minster Dr Ayesha Verrall for a six-week consultation period. […]
Smokefree action plan must elevate vaping as a safe switch
A leading vaping advocate has joined mounting pressure on the Government to take all the necessary steps available to achieve the country’s decade-old smokefree ambition. This comes as Associate Health Minster Dr Ayesha Verrall prepares to release a discussion document on a draft action plan to meet the Smokefree 2025 targets. While the Cancer Society […]
Vape shop security will worsen if draft regulations pass
Concerns raised in the vaping industry about shop security could become a wider reality if proposed regulations add more cost and scarcity to vaping products, says a leading Kiwi tobacco harm reduction advocate. The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing 2,518 submissions on its draft vaping regulations. However, with some vape shops recently experiencing violent […]
Submissions reveal concern about loss of vape flavours in NZ
The Vaping Regulatory Authority has confirmed it received a total of 2,518 submissions on the Ministry of Health’s draft vaping regulations which closed on 15 March. Over half of the submissions – 1,375 – came from ‘general retailers’, leading a key New Zealand tobacco harm reduction advocate to conclude the Government’s plan to take away […]
Smoking won’t keep falling if vaping regulations too tough
Plummeting tobacco tax revenue for the Government is great to see as Kiwis continue to quit smoking. However, if the Ministry of Health makes the vaping regulations too tough, fewer smokers in the future will move to much safer and less expensive vaping products, says a leading tobacco harm reduction advocate. Nancy Loucas, co-director of […]
Petitioner calls on two Govt doctors to review vape flavour ban
The Ministry of Health has submitted a written submission to the Health Select Committee, dismissing a Parliamentary petition signed by 17,357 Kiwis supporting ongoing access to vape flavours. Petition organiser, Nancy Loucas, who is co-director of Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA), says the Ministry of Health’s submission is very disappointing given vaping is New Zealand’s […]