Vaping has become a popular alternative to tobacco smoking. The practice provides nicotine in a much less harmful way, and there is evidence which supports vaping as a useful tool for smoking cessation.
We are committed to Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 and will adopt initiatives that can help communities reach this goal. We particularly assist our priority populations groups: Māori, Pacific and young people. Our organisation supports vaping as a method to help individuals stop smoking but we do not encourage vaping for non-smokers or young people. The health risks of long term vaping are still unknown and we recommend caution.
Young People and Vaping
Aotearoa New Zealand is seeing an increase in the number of young people vaping. This is particularly concerning as we know that being vape-free and smoke-free is the best option for the health of our rangatahi. We take a health promotion approach which seeks to engage young people with the facts of vaping, endorse teaching and learning activities that promote vape-free schools, and provide support to students, parents and staff to help inform decisions on vaping.
Vaping Regulations
Laws on vaping in Aotearoa New Zealand are:
- No retailer can sell vape products to a person under the age of 18
- Dairies cannot sell flavoured vape products other the mint, menthol and tobacco
- Specialist vape retailers can sell flavoured vape products
- Specialist vape retailers are R18 and must not allow people under the age of 18 into their store
The Smoke-free Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act ensures that smoking and vaping is prohibited inside the buildings and on the grounds of schools, kura kaupapa, kōhanga reo and early childhood education centres.
Our Public Health Advisors also take a regulatory approach to vaping including legislation enforcement and educating vape retailers on their responsibilities. If you have a complaint regarding the sale of vape products please see our ‘vaping complaints’ page.
Resources/InformationA range of resources/information on vaping can be found by visiting:
Other Links
Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill https://legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2020/0222/latest/LMS313857.html
Health Promotion Agency vaping study (Smoking and vaping behaviours among 14 and 15-year-olds: Results from the 2018 Youth Insights Survey) www.hpa.org.nz/research-library/research-publications/smoking-and-vaping-behaviours-among-14-and-15-year-olds-results-from-the-2018-youth-insights-survey
