The New Zealand Ministry of Health is calling on the public to provide feedback on the nation’s draft vape regulations.

New Zealand implemented the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020 in November.

The government aims to encourage adult smokers to switch without putting young people at risk.

Jane Chambers, Group Manager at the Ministry of Health, said in a statement: “The amendment means that vaping products are now controlled in a similar way to tobacco products.

“However, new regulations are required to fully deliver the changes sought by the government and to support the right settings for the legislation.”

Under the new proposals, vape products containing nicotine would be required to display the message ‘this product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance’ in English and te reo Maori.

Just under a third of New Zealand’s Maori population smoke, compared to 13 percent in the rest of the population.

Other regulations under review include vaping in workplaces and public areas, promotion and advertising and product notification and safety.

Nabhik Gupta of major New Zealand vape retailer Shosha, said the company had already redesigning packaging to meet the proposed requirements.

Gupta believes that it is an ‘important proactive step for us to take to improve industry standards and help support smokers wanting to transition away from cigarettes.’

He said:

“The European and UK based standards which the Ministry is proposing are some of the most stringent available.

“If adopted here it will mean consumers can be reassured that only what is on the label what is displayed on the label is present in the product – down to the last molecule.”

The consultation closes at 5pm on March 15.

Source: Xinhua

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