This shows a row of vapes in an Auckland store, on Feb. 11, 2018. The New Zealand Government said Wednesday, March 20, 2024, that it will ban disposable e-cigarettes, or vapes, and raise financial penalties for those who sell such products to minors. (Michael Craig/New Zealand Herald via AP)
New Zealand announced on Wednesday its decision to prohibit disposable e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, and increase penalties for those who distribute them to minors.
This action follows the recent repeal of a law aimed at eradicating tobacco smoking, signaling a shift in the country's approach to tobacco control. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello emphasized the importance of e-cigarettes as a tool for quitting smoking but expressed concerns about the growing popularity of vaping among young people.
The new regulations will impose hefty fines on retailers selling vapes to individuals under 18 and introduce restrictions on the marketing of e-cigarettes to prevent their appeal to youth.
