VIANZ responds to Government’s plans to cap vape stores at 600

The announcement by the Labour Party to cap vape stores at 600 – we question where the evidence is to support this move. The fact that three quarters of young people access products from social sources (ASH, Health Promotion Agency) means this change will not reduce youth vaping numbers. It will certainly have a negative impact on the thousands of smokers across Aotearoa seeking to quit, and the thousands of vapers who have successfully quit. We wonder if Labour has considered the thousands of voters who rely on these products to remain smoke free.

Instead of using this pivotal moment to proactively support the transition of the 380,000 Kiwis still smoking onto the proven safer alternative, this strategy puts up hurdles making it more difficult for smokers to quit. Health experts believe we need to get the balance right between protecting our youth and continuing to help New Zealanders become smokefree – we believe there are a number of other strategies that would deliver this result.

This proposal is destined to fail because evidence shows the majority of young people are not purchasing their vaping products from reputable retailers. Authorities need to enforce the regulations, shut down stores that are operating outside the rules, regulate online channels and take on board recommendations from industry and health experts who have the data and expertise to help shape better outcomes that will both protect our youth and the thousands of Kiwis to whom smoking poses the biggest threat.

The sledgehammer approach might make for a succinct headline but, this approach is not backed by health experts, anti-tobacco campaigners, anti-youth-vaping advocates, or the vaping industry.

Regarding whether industry has plans to take legal action on this proposal – at this stage we are still trying to understand what evidence would support such a move. Notwithstanding the implausibility of legally challenging what is simply an election announcement from the Labour Party.

As an industry we have data and evidence that could help shape a framework that would actually restrict youth access – youth accessing vaping products currently poses the greatest risk to the smoking cessation benefits our industry has provided to date. We are frustrated that despite multiple attempts to discuss strategies with Government, they remain resistant to engaging with us so we can collectively put our young people first. Our view is if we are serious about curbing this problem then everyone needs to come together to make it happen, because on the issue of youth vaping everyone is on the same side.

As an aside, you might be interested to know that the Ministry has confirmed that the number of stores issued with licences near schools and marae since 6 June is consistent with the proportion that have opened since the outset of the scheme. This contradicts claims that there has been a ‘rush’ on stores opening near schools. This has clearly not been the case.

Comment from Ministry of Health – since 6 June, there have been a total of 91 new stores approved, and 39 of these are within 300 metres of schools or marae. This number is consistent with the proportion of stores that have opened near schools and marae since the scheme started.