In New Zealand, thestroke (Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy) is currently fighting against new “Smokefree” legislation that could restrict the supply of vaping products and work against the fight against smoking in the country.
A BILL THAT LIMITS THE AVAILABILITY AND SALE OF VAPING!
Nancy Loucas, the director ofAotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (stroke) is completely in the hands of New Zealand MPs on the future smoking bill. She says: " Members of Parliament who want a “smoke-free” environment in 2025 must speak out if we are to succeed in further eliminating smoking. Now is their chance, because unfortunately the select health committee did not listen "
His comments come as the bill to amend the smoke-free environment and regulated products (vaping) is on second reading in parliament after the Select Health Committee tabled its report two weeks ago.
«The eight MEPs on the select committee seemed to go through the motions and changed the draft very little after submissions from experts and consumers. It is now up to the 112 other MPs to make the right choice for the people. People have spoken loudly, experts have argued that the choice and access to vaping products is of the utmost importance to successfully quitting smoking ", she says.
The director of AVCA says she is extremely disappointed that the government is seeking to limit the sale of 3-flavor vaping products only sold in general stores and online.
« It's pretty obvious that decisions are made here without a full understanding of how important choice and access to vaping is to achieving the goal of a smoke-free country by 2025. »
AVCA believes that a successful public policy would ensure wider access and availability of flavors for vaping products beyond specialty stores. According to the AVCA we need regulation
pragmatic and scalable which allows to treat reduced risk products clearly according to scientific evidence and facts.
«Adults love the aromas beyond tobacco, mint and menthol. The aromas are essential for smokers who quit smoking. MEPs must understand that the rest of the public submissions were extremely supportive of pragmatic and risk-sensitive regulation »
According to Nancy Loucas, the pleas of the bidders were ignored. In addition, the submission and hearing process has been truncated and low-level for a country that takes so much pride in a pragmatic and progressive public health policy.
«As consumers, we support high product standards and strict enforcement of R18. However, we cannot stand idly by and see the accessibility of such an effective smoking cessation tool seriously undermined by a refusal to recognize the evidence and expert opinions that confirm what consumers have already known and experienced. themselves. If Parliament does not reformulate this bill, unfortunately we risk once again increasing the smoking rateExplains Nancy Loucas.
