Local Board Member hails vape ban as major win for youth health

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Member Vi Hausia says the Government’s ban on disposable vapes is a positive step towards protecting young people from addiction.

Hausia says disposable vapes are significantly cheaper, making them more appealing to youth.

“These rules are welcome,” he says. “It's not a silver bullet. It's not going to fix all our issues, but it's definitely going to be something that's going to help us help our young people be healthier.”

Hausia says disposable vapes are priced between $7 and $15. The penalties for breaching the ban can reach up to $400,000 for manufacturers, importers, or large retailers, and up to $50,000 for individuals.

He raises concerns about recent statistics indicating that one in 10 youth aged 10 to 15 vapes.

Associate Minister of Health, Casey Costello, says new visibility restrictions will change how vape stores operate.

Disposable vapes and many kinds of advertising will be banned for vape retailers from Tuesday. Photo: RNZ

Retailers, including dairies, supermarkets, and petrol stations, must keep vape products out of sight.

Similarly, online stores will not be able to display images of vape products, and New Zealand-based online retailers are prohibited from linking to overseas sites showcasing these products.”

The ban is part of the Smokefree Environment and Regulated Products Amendment Bill, passed last December.

Watch Sir Dr Colin Tukuitonga talk about the Government's plans to crack down on vaping.

The Bill has four main components:

• Banning the manufacture, sale, supply, and distribution of disposable vapes.

• Increasing penalties for the unlawful sale of vapes, cigarettes, and other regulated products to minors.

• Imposing visibility restrictions on vaping products in retail locations.

• Adding proximity restrictions for specialist vape retailers.

Watch guest host, 'Ala Vailala's 'My Perspective' on the ban

Hausia highlights the need for central and local governments to work together to ensure that shops comply with these rules.

“New Zealand had a vision to be smoke-free by 2025, and we're now in June 2025,” he says. “I don't want to be pessimistic, but there's still six months in the year. I don't think we'll be reaching that.

“But this is a pragmatic step towards at least getting us closer to being smoke-free sometime in the future.”