2024

• NZ get a grip on vaping

• Get it, like tobacco, out of public view

• Tell NZ what other countries governments, like that of the US, are telling the public about vaping (see 'a few minutes reading' below, and look at short video in each)

• Set up vape and nicotine quitting programmes

A path to 'getting a grip' :

1. immediately put vapes out of public view
2. establish campaign for promoting air breathing, not tobacco smoke and not vape aerosol. State positives, make it attractive, energy-giving as well as removing all the major health risks of both
3. establish quitting programmes for vaping and for nicotine
4. change the current tobacco quitting programme so it does not primarily encourage vaping while understating vaping risks, but strongly supports giving up both tobacco and e-cigarettes with the primary focus on how to get over nicotine addiction 
5. put vapes into plain packaging with health warnings
6. stop online sales of both tobacco and vape products
7. reduce availability of both*,  leading to pharmacy only access, with prescription, given both are clearly toxic. The effects of tobacco are long established ,and those of vaping becoming established, the vape aerosol containing known serious toxins with emerging evidence for its causing lung, cardiovascular and cognitive harm.

* A suggested protocol: Closure of 'specialty shops' of both products, and both products out of sight in other outlets, in a behind counter, locked non-transparent cupboard, with a plain list of prices the only visible information, R18, and severe penalty including immediate loss of licence for any infraction of rules. No sales within 500 m of schools.

Move within 6 months to pharmacy only for both products.

A Few Minutes Reading  

1 US government advice on vaping for the public

2 NZ government advice on vaping for the public

3 What is in vape aerosols

1 

https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/knowtherisks.html#aerosol-exposure

2

https://vapingfacts.health.nz/the-facts-of-vaping/risks-of-vaping/

3 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition_of_electronic_cigarette_aerosol#:~:text=The%20e%2Dcigarette%20aerosol%20usually,e%2Dcigarette%20aerosols%20vary%20greatly

 

(This update has been sent in a letter to Messrs Luxon, Seymour and Peters, Dr Reti, Health Dept heads and various media.)

Photo image: University Health News (uhn.com)