We are a group of level 3 social studies students at New Plymouth Girls' High School who are wanting to make a change in policy in regards to vaping issues in New Zealand. 

This petition aims to make a change to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990. We are wanting to add a policy which stops vapes stores from selling vapes all together and the only way to access vapes is to buy them at a pharmacy with a prescription from a doctor. 

Our reasons:

The proliferation of vaping among young people and non-smoking adults has become a public health concern that necessitates urgent attention. The current Smokefree Environments Act 1990, designed to protect the general public from the harms associated with tobacco smoke, does not adequately address the complexities introduced by vaping products. It is time for this legislation to evolve to keep pace with these changes.

The absence of stringent regulation has led to a steady increase in the accessibility of vaping products, making it alarmingly easy for non-smokers and young individuals to obtain them. Vaping, while frequently marketed as a safe alternative to smoking, carries its own risks and potential health impacts, including the unknown long-term effects of inhaling various chemicals. Studies have highlighted a disturbing rise in vape usage in schools, with some reports indicating usage rates doubling over recent years among teenagers.

To address this growing issue, it is imperative to amend the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 to incorporate a policy that restricts the sale of vaping devices to pharmacies. Furthermore, sales should be strictly regulated through prescription only, ensuring that those who seek these products are doing so under medical guidance and for legitimate reasons. This approach mirrors the regulation of nicotine replacement therapies and ensures that vaping products are used as intended – to aid in smoking cessation rather than recreationally by individuals who might otherwise not smoke.

Enforcing these restrictions will help to curb the rise of vaping among non-smokers and minors, supporting public health objectives while ensuring that these tools are available to those who genuinely need them to quit smoking. Let's safeguard our communities and promote healthier futures by revising the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990. 

Your support in signing this petition is crucial to initiating this much-needed legislative change.