The New Zealand government has announced it will ban the sale of single-use e-cigarettes, increase fines for retailers who sell to under-18s and better regulate retailers.
The New Zealand government has come under fire for overturning the world's first law banning the sale of tobacco products to youth. It has said it is committed to reducing smoking but is simply taking a different approach, including additional regulations around vaping.
"Although e-cigarette smoking has contributed to a significant reduction in the number of smokers, the rapid increase in the number of young people using e-cigarettes is worrying for parents, teachers and health professionals," said Casey Costello, New Zealand's deputy health minister.
The new rules will increase fines for retailers who sell e-cigarettes to under-18s, overhaul retailer licensing and ban all single-use vapers.
"The coalition government is committed to fighting to reduce smoking levels to achieve the goal of 'Smoke-Free' or by 2025 less than 5% of the population smokes daily," Costello said./BGNES
