The Ministry of Health are making moves to regulate vapes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. This is supported by Hāpai Te Hauora who hopes that the Ministry do their best to provide effective and sustainable regulation.
Last week it was revealed that Philip Morris (New Zealand) has taken British American Tobacco (New Zealand) to court. The two tobacco giants are squabbling over alleged anti-competitive behaviour by British American Tobacco in the New Zealand market.
We went out into the community to talk to members of our whānau at the Pacifica National League cup. It was a colourful few days and a great opportunity to better understand current thoughts and perceptions on vaping and tobacco! Here's a snapshot of what we found.
New research has been released which shows that vaping in New Zealand is a popular alternative for those wanting to quit smoking tobacco. A recent survey on vapers was conducted by Dr Penny Truman and colleagues at Massey University.
Some major supermarkets across Aotearoa are now selling e-cigarettes. Meanwhile excise tax on tobacco products have increased by a further 10 percent this month.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ could be putting the Smokefree 2025 goal at risk through their scare-mongering tactics and attempts to influence the new Government to turn their backs on a sensible, harm reduction approach to smoking cessation. Hāpai Te Hauora has supported the Ministry of Health and previous ministers’ compassionate and progressive stance on e-cigarettes which championed a realistic and pragmatic pathway for people to become smoke free.
The University of Auckland National Institute for Health Innovation have started recruitment for two new Auckland-based smoking cessation trials, led by Professor Chris Bullen and Associate Professor Natalie Walker. The University of Auckland are also currently running an e-cigarette trial, for which they seek to enrol participants across NZ.
Today the Government announced changes which will improve the quality of E-cigarettes available in New Zealand and increase access to these successful smoking cessation products.
Hāpai Te Hauora strongly support MP Marama Fox and the Māori Party calls for subsidising vape devices as an alternative to cancer and ill health causing cigarettes. “We see this (vaping) as a viable treatment option that should be considered to stop tobacco related illness. The fact is that vaping devices like electronic-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoked cigarettes.
On 30th August 2016 Hāpai and the Cancer Society hosted a live discussion on the Ministry of Health E-Cigarettes Consultation Document.