New Zealand Implements Youth Vaping Regulations to Limit Access

New Zealand has introduced new regulations aimed at curbing youth vaping, according to Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The regulations include measures to keep vapes away from children and young people, with a ban on opening specialist vape shops within 300 meters of schools and Maori meeting places.

The use of child safety mechanisms on vapes will be required, and flavored names like ‘cotton candy’ and ‘strawberry jelly donut’ will be prohibited, allowing only generic flavor names such as ‘orange’ or ‘berry’. The maximum nicotine levels in vaping products have been set to balance their effectiveness for smoking cessation while minimizing the risk of addiction, especially among young individuals.

These regulations, effective from September 21, also mandate that all vaping devices sold in the country must have removable batteries to enhance safety standards. Verrall emphasized the goal of making both tobacco and vaping products less addictive, appealing, and readily accessible in the future.