In New Zealand, some anti-smoking supporters are urging the government to pass a law to prevent young non-smokers from using vape products. According to them, this law should be done before the next elections.
TOWARDS A STRICT LAW ON VAPE!
The House sits on an emergency basis, with the government trying to pass as many laws as possible before Parliament is dissolved on August 12. Members of the Tairawhiti anti-tobacco coalition group, Taki Tahi Toa Mano, hope that the bill modifying smoke-free environments and regulated products (including vaping) will be adopted quickly.
Taki Tahi Toa Mano perceives vaping as a major problem for Tairawhiti due to the large number of shops selling vaping products.
« We are concerned that rangatahi (Maori youth) may be manipulated into purchasing their vaping products, especially those who have never smoked tobacco before.t "said Roimata Mangu, health promoter of Gisborne-East Coast Cancer Societyy and member of Taki Tahi Toa Mano.
The bill proposes :
■ Prohibition of vaping and heated tobacco products in smoke-free areas provided by law.
■ Introducing the concept of “regulated products” to allow for the regulation of a wider range of tobacco and vaping products under the Act. It is about regulating the products currently on the market and planning for new products that may need to be regulated in the future.
■ Extend existing restrictions on advertising, promotion, sale and distribution of tobacco products to all regulated products, making a distinction between sellers specializing in vaping and non-specialized businesses while describing the different regulations for each type of seller.
■ Apply provisions allowing the establishment of standardized packaging requirements for all regulated products, thus setting tailor-made requirements for different types of products which recognize their different risk profiles.
