The New Zealand government has actively supported vaping as a cessation tool, emphasizing its benefits through resources like the Vaping Facts website. Health authorities, including Smokefree New Zealand, endorse vaping for individuals looking to quit smoking, citing research that positions vaping as significantly safer than traditional cigarettes.
With regards to the new scheme, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello exp lained that the program will provide free vape devices and a three-month supply of nicotine pods to smokers seeking to quit, alongside ongoing support. To facilitate this, vape starter kits will be distributed nationwide to stop-smoking services. Costello highlighted that individuals using quit-smoking services are four times more likely to succeed.
The scheme aligns with the Smokefree 2025 goal, aiming to reduce smoking rates below 5% by the end of this year. Action for Smokefree 2025 director Ben Youdan emphasized the effectiveness of vaping as a smoking cessation tool, citing its significantly lower harm compared to smoking. “Switching to vaping greatly reduces the risk of illness and death from tobacco use,” he said.
The initiative is also part of a broader effort to reignite anti-smoking campaigns. A new marketing campaign, “That’s Us, Smokefree 2025,” developed by Hāpai te Hauora, was launched to engage key audiences via social media and community networks. Costello stressed the importance of ensuring access to effective tools and fostering collaboration within the health sector to encourage referrals to stop-smoking services.
New GSTHR report commends government-backed vaping support
Titled “Pro-consumer laws and an endorsement for vaping: why smoking is disappearing in Aotearoa New Zealand,” the paper examines the country’s rapid reduction in smoking rates. The report highlights that this progress has been largely driven by the legalization of nicotine vaping in 2018 and supportive public health policies. GSTHR’s findings position New Zealand as a global case study in tobacco harm reduction, alongside earlier reports on the UK and Japan.
While New Zealand’s smoking rates had been falling for decades, the adoption of vaping products significantly sped up this trend. Smoking rates dropped from 40% of men and 32% of women in 1976 to just 8.3% of adults in 2023. In contrast, vaping rates rose to 11.9% in 2023, up from 1.4% in 2016.
Comparing Approaches: New Zealand vs. Australia
New Zealand’s success contrasts sharply with Australia’s failing restrictive policies. While New Zealand has encouraged the legal use of SNP to reduce smoking, pairing this with stringent regulations ensuring the quality and safety of vaping products, Australia’s limits on nicotine product availability have fueled a black market. As a result, Australia’s smoking prevalence has stagnated, with only a slight drop from 12.8% in 2018 to 11.8% in 2023.
However, disparities persist also in New Zealand. Smoking rates remain high in Māori communities, where 17.1% of adults reported daily smoking in 2023, compared to just 6.1% among those of European descent. Moreover, other safer nicotine products (SNPs), such as nicotine pouches and snus, remain banned, reflecting a selective approach to harm reduction.
The GSTHR report underscores the importance of consumer involvement and pro-consumer policies in reducing smoking rates. New Zealand’s open approach to vaping, coupled with targeted public health campaigns, demonstrates how endorsing safer nicotine products can yield significant public health benefits.
New Zealand Govt. Rushes New Vape Restrictions in The Name of Teen Vaping
