The exponential growth in specialist vape retailers
across New Zealand over the last 12 months is something we
should be concerned about says the Asthma and Respiratory
Foundation’s Chief Executive Letitia Harding.
“In
February 2022 there were 666 registered specialist vape
retailers in New Zealand and as of today we now have 956. To
put that into perspective there is a combined total of 267
KFCs and McDonald’s restaurants across New Zealand. We are
hearing firsthand from communities who are saying they sick
and tired of vape stores popping up all over the place, with
their products showcased in store front windows,” says Ms
Harding.
While regulations exist to monitor vaping
stores, the Foundation is concerned these are not being
adequately policed, and that retailers are taking advantage
of the current environment to maximise their
profits.
“We do not need 934 specialist vape
retailers. It means that vapes are easily accessible, very
visible and can only be fuelling the epidemic of youth
vaping in New Zealand,” she says.
Of particular
concern to the Foundation, is the prevalence of
‘specialist vape retailers’ that have been constructed
within existing convenience store premises. “This is a
loophole that many retailers have been using to enable them
to sell more vape products,” she explains. “Only specialist
vape retailers can sell a full range of vape ‘flavours’
under current rules.”
The Foundation would like to see
enforcement officers visiting all such premises to verify
that they are compliant with current rules, and if not,
revoking their status as a specialist vape retailer
immediately.
The Foundation believes the Smokefree
Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill, which
aims to radically transform rules around smoked tobacco
products, is a timely opportunity to address the harms being
caused by vaping products. In its submission on the bill,
the Foundation called for the introduction of greater
controls for vaping retailers and a reduction in the
nicotine content of vaping products.
“This bill is a
game-changer for New Zealand in addressing the harms caused
by tobacco cigarettes, but we must also address ENDS
(electronic nicotine delivery systems) products and their
widespread use among young people,” says Dr Stuart Jones,
Respiratory Consultant and Advisor on the Foundation’s
Scientific Advisory Board.
“We already have far too
many of our youth addicted to nicotine from the use of
vaping products. We cannot wait another few years for better
regulations around products, as the scale of this
problem will only continue to grow. We need to get the
nicotine content in vaping products reduced as a matter of
urgency. We need to get the retailers out from our school
surrounds. And we need better policing of these retailers,”
he says. “The time to act is
now.”
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