The Government of New Zealand today announced that it will change the law to legalize the sale of electronic cigarettes containing nicotine. These products legally sold within the next year.
This change is a huge victory for the electronic cigarette industry.
The products will be sold in special packaging and are not subject to heavy taxation within the traditional tobacco products.
The Deputy Health Minister of New Zealand's Nicky Wagner said that the decision on this change in the law came despite the fact that scientific research on the effects of using electronic cigarettes are still ongoing.
And although it stressed that this is the approach of "lower risk", the Nicky Wagner urged journalists who were in parliament to try steaming.
« I tried steaming. I'm not very good at it, but I do not smoke (or conventional cigarettes). I urge every smoker who is here to try steaming. »
Globally we can not have a totally clear research on this, but we are convinced that (electronic cigarettes) is 95% less harmful than conventional cigarettes.
The new regulition for all electronic cigarettes and replacement fluids whether or not containing nicotine, include limiting their sale to people over the age of 18 as well as restrictions on advertising.
The widespread advertising of electronic cigarettes in radio, television and billboards will not be allowed, but sellers will be able to exhibit their products at point of sale.
Point-of-sale advertising is worrying,, said Professor of the University of Otago, Janet Hoek, co-director of «Aspire 2025», a study that focuses on supporting the New Zealand government's target to be free from smoking up 2025.
«Smokers are not the only people who will see the products that are displayed (points of sale) and it is not clear how (restrictions on advertising) will ensure that children are protected from the marketing of electronic cigarettes»
«There are examples of marketing on the other side of the ocean, showing that he has used attractive to young people policy». Hoek said, adding that researchers from the University and from the University of Auckland suggested that if you are going to change the status (to allow the sale of electronic cigarettes), then the sale should be carried out exclusively by specialty stores and pharmacies.
The Associate Professor of "Public Health School" of Massey University, Marewa Glover said the ban vaping in places prohibited (traditional) smoking would create "unfortunate misunderstanding" that steaming and smoking is equally harmful, while steaming is safer.
The (health minister) Wagner said that the government considered the possibility to apply to electronic cigarettes and excise duty applicable to traditional tobacco products, but decided not to do.
« I think this is very important, so a smoker can see that the (traditional) cigarettes is quite high, while electronic cigarettes are much cheaper.
He expressed no concern about the fact that some big tobacco companies are behind and electronic cigarette products. "I think the important thing is the health benefits desired. Who will sell (electronic cigarettes) do not think that is really important .»
While several stores (in New Zealand) are selling open electronic cigarettes and replenishing fluids illegally, their traders have not been prosecuted by their authorities.
Users "smoke" with an electronic cigarette, inhaling the produced nicotine-containing steam, in the same way that smokers smoke a cigarette smoke.
Wagner also announced that they are planning a regulation regime that will assess and approve the products that will be launched as less harmful alternatives to tobacco smoke.
Such products are also heating-and not smoke-burning appliances.
At present, new products will probably be banned from the Smoke-Free Environments Act. The new legislative regime could classify them as «consumer products».
In England, electronic cigarettes are the first method of helping to stop smoking in 35% of smokers trying to quit the cigarette. However, some researchers point out that electronic cigarettes pose a risk of becoming an "entry gate" to smoking for the youth
The Ministry of Health of New Zealand monitors data on the role played by electronic cigarettes to quit smoking.
Marama Fox, co-head of the Maori , said this month that the government should think very seriously about subsidizing hair loss as a tool to quit smoking.
Today, Health Secretary Wagner said that if an electronic cigarette is approved as a smoking cessation drug, then the Government will consider subsidizing it.
Approximately 546,000 New Zealand smokers today, 15% of the adult population. Every day an average of 13 people die of some smoking-related illness - about 5,000 people per year.
Half of smokers (normal cigarette) die from a smoking-related disease and on average die 14 years earlier than if you did not smoke.
