Anger at NZ flavour ban.

The New Zealand Vaping Regulatory Authority has confirmed it received over 2500 submissions on the Ministry of Health’s draft vaping regulations, which closed on the 15th March. A stunning turnout for sure, with over half of the submissions coming from ‘general retailers’, pioneering a key Kiwi tobacco harm reduction advocate to conclude that the Government’s plan to ban flavoured E-Liquids from general retail has gotten the industry fired up to take action.

Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA) was formed in 2016 by vapers across NZ, wanting their voices to be heard in both local and centralised government. All their members are former smokers who use their experience to help promote vaping and inspire current smokers quit. AVCA has no affiliation or conflict of interest within industry, tobacco, pharmaceutical, vaping or otherwise.

Ms. Loucas is now calling on Associate Health Minister, who is overseeing the regulations, to review the restrictions of vape flavours or watch the nation’s smoking rates skyrocket and the ambition of a smoke-free country go up in flames.

“Adults love flavours. That’s how so many have successfully quit smoking deadly cigarettes - switching to considerably much safer and cost-effective vaping,” she says.

Following the Government’s legislation that passed last year, it was proposed that for general retail, such as supermarkets, service stations and convenience stores, vape flavours would be limited to just three; mint, menthol and tobacco.

“The good news is it’s not over yet. In assessing the public submissions, the Ministry could recommend changes and importantly Cabinet gets to approve the final proposals. We need the fresh eyes and expertise of Dr Verrall. We also want the likes of Minister of Small Business, Stuart Nash, and Maori Health Minister, Peeni Henare, to take another look at these regulations before rubber stamping them by late June,” Loucas adds.

Love, Supergood.