Foundation wants rules for vaping

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation says there’s no regulation in New Zealand around vaping and the organisation is wanting the practice to be included in smoke-free areas.

The foundation’s chief executive, Letitia O’Dwyer, says the horse has bolted and is concerned that more vaping shops are opening up (in Wellington) and the numerous posters, retail promotion material, advertising in cinema toilets and radio advertising appear to be targeting minors.

“This is a clear disregard of the smoke-free areas (SFEA) and until it’s amended, retailers should continue to trade responsibly.”

Letitia said the advertising and selling of vaping products to children and young people needs to be regulated and enforced.

“It’s about balance. We need to get this right in terms of supporting people to give up smoking but not at the expense of our children’s respiratory health.”

Currently there are 7700 vaping flavours and all are available to be bought online.

“By offering different and attractive flavours such as Vampire Blood (lemonade with raspberries), and Dragon’s Spit (chocolate and mint icecream) which are obviously aimed at youth, this should give us all cause for concern.”

Furthermore, it’s not known about the safety of e-vapor products.

“It’s too early to tell the long-term consequences of using these products.”

Letitia asks why there’s a Ministry of Health caveat on vaping and e-cigarettes.

“At this stage the ministry does not have enough evidence to recommend these products confidently as a cessation tool.

“The ministry advises smokers to use approved smoking cessation medicines in combination with behavioural Quitline.”

Letitia said the top five tobacco companies are behind e-cigarettes and vaping and it’s reported that Phillip Morris Tobacco spends $43 billion a year on these new products.

The tobacco giant advertises its next generation Mesh e-vapor product that uses “a new approach to vapor generation”.