This was sent to the leader(s) of each party:

Subject: Party Policy on Vaping - a sensible proposal with 3000 supporters including candidates from 4 political parties

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Dear Potential Next Leader(s) of New Zealand (Aotearoa) 

I am Dr Mary MacGibbon, an academic in health sciences. Along with a vast cohort of New Zealanders, across political, socioeconomic and other divides, I am deeply worried about the sustained absence of any real regulation of vaping, and how this is severely impacting the country.

This cohort of concerned citizens includes ardent Labour supporters, perplexed at the current wobbly and ineffective Labour position, which so far supports the vape industry aggressively marketing to the community at large. 

I initiated a petition, link provided below, requesting the government to implement a pharmacy-only policy for vape products. Hence this could be for either over-the-counter without prescription (OTC) or prescription only purchase. 

Robust arguments can be made for and against each of these protocols. OTC enables relatively greater accessibility for all for better or worse, including for those endeavouring to give up tobacco, while the prescription requirement is a preferred option by many who think the nicotine-containing vapes should be treated like methadone for opiate addiction, and that they are too hazardous a product to market in any other mode. This protocol could be accompanied with a free consultation set up for those endeavouring to give up tobacco or vape smoking, and this has precedents in NZ for other conditions. The OTC option would presumably have vape products out of sight, no online marketing etc, 

Alcohol outlets for vapes have been mentioned, and although they have a stated R18 status, this policy would send a clear message that vapes are rather like alcohol, fine if used by responsible adults. Alcohol is managed well by the gastrointestinal system and if used sensibly is not considered to contain any toxic entities. Vape gas components however are not well-tolerated by the respiratory system with usual use, and include well-recognised toxins that are considered a health risk at the concentrations involved in 'normal' vaping. 
(That vape gas may be preferable to tobacco smoke, containing the carcinogenic tar and high amounts of oxygen-displacing carbon monoxide, is not of course an argument for a non-smoker to take up vaping. It is possible vaping may be considered even more hazardous in the long term.)

As you determine policy, and how you will clearly guide and manage New Zealand should you be given that immense privilege, you will hopefully create legislation which demonstrates leadership and a duty of care, and which effectively undermines the aggressive marketing of this product, really nicotine dressed up with all manner of harmful constituents to enable its delivery to the far reaches of the lungs and to make it alluring.

One petition-signing vaper stated 'I am signing because I wanna give up vaping, and I think this would help.'  The stories of the destructive impact of vaping already abound, with school principals, parents and even children pleading for vapes to go.

The petition: 
Petition · BAN VAPE SHOPS. Use plain packaging with health warnings and pharmacy outlet only · Change.org

Kind regards

Mary MacGibbon (PhD)

(contact details provided)"