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Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid, Regulations Posted on

New Zealand’s Ban on Disposable Vapes Coming Soon

The landscape of the vaping industry is rapidly being reshaped by stringent regulations and public health initiatives, with New Zealand recently joining the movement by banning disposable vapes. This is part of a global trend that has seen several countries take steps to curb the growing use of vaping among young people and protect public health.

For vape brand owners, this kind of legislative action is not just a change in the legal environment but also represents a significant shift in business planning, product development, and marketing strategies. Here, we explore the profound implications of New Zealand's ban on disposable vapes and the ripple effect it may have on the industry at large.

Disposable Vapes on the Chopping Block

In an effort to combat youth vaping and reduce the environmental impact of these single-use devices, New Zealand's recent move is not surprising. With the ban soon to be enacted, vape brand owners need to take note and adjust their operations accordingly. The ban is part of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act, and it prohibits the import, sale, and supply of disposables, including severe penalties for those caught selling vapes to minors.

The action in New Zealand follows a similar ban in the UK, which is yet to receive a solid date for enactment. The latest ban underpins the global trends of a crackdown on youth vaping, but it's also emblematic of a broader rejection of 'convenience culture,' with its single-use, plastic product that has come to represent a public nuisance and environmental hazard.

Regulatory Impact for Vape Brand Owners

The most immediate impact for vape brand owners will be on the sale of disposable vapes. It is clear that the convenience offered by these simpler devices is no longer a justification for their proliferation in the market. Manufacturers must now pivot to more sustainable practices that align with both the legal requirements and consumer preferences. While many brands sell other vape products as well as disposables, disposable-only brands will need to either rethink their product offerings or take their products elsewhere.

The Ongoing Update to Reusable Vapes

The new regulations also touch on re-chargeable vape devices. Brands have until October 1st to ensure their devices include features such as child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging and meet other safety and quality standards. This presents an opportunity for companies to innovate and develop products that cater to the changing demands and expectations of regulators and consumers alike.

In addition to these new requirements, branding and marketing restrictions are tightening. Vape brands will no longer be able to use imagery that may appeal to young people, including cartoons, or have flavours with names that could attract the youth demographic. This update has since come into effect as of March 21st.

The Big Picture

The ban on disposable vapes is just one example of the broader regulatory shifts taking place in the vape industry. The trend is clear – governments are taking an increasingly active role in shaping the market to align with public health and environmental sustainability.

This presents challenges, but also opportunities. It encourages product innovation and a focus on long-term environmental stewardship. It prompts brands to engage in transparent, educational marketing aimed at adult consumers and invest in robust, multi-channel age verification systems to prevent underage sales. Although it may seem daunting, the current regulatory environment should be seen as a chance for brands to redefine their role and responsibility within the market.

Conclusion

As governments continue to take a hard line on vaping, the industry must adapt or face the consequences. The ban on disposable vapes in New Zealand is just one part of this global shift towards greater regulation. Vape brand owners must be proactive in navigating these changes. By upholding a commitment to regulatory compliance, product innovation, and environmental stewardship, brands can not only survive but thrive in the new market reality.

It is clear that the vape industry is at a crossroads, and the decisions made now will shape its future. By recognizing the opportunities that come with these changes and approaching them with a spirit of innovation and sustainability, vape brand owners can secure a place for their products in the evolving marketplace. Now more than ever, it is essential to be proactive, versatile, and forward-thinking in order to build a resilient and successful business.

Author Hannah Rubery Categories E-Liquid, Manufacturing, Other, Regulations Posted on

Australia Considers Toughening Restrictions on Vaping

Despite being the home of one of the world’s toughest restrictions on vaping, the Australian government are considering further tightening. The aim is to crackdown on children accessing E-Cigarettes. But is it creating more harm than good?

The current vaping regulations in Australia

Currently, it is illegal to purchase nicotine-containing E-Liquid, and devices in Australia without a prescription. Each state however regulates issues such as sales, public use, age limits etc.

All states require retailers to be given approval for selling E-Liquid but at this time, none have been granted approval. Similarly, many states allow the sale of nicotine-free E-Cigarettes, but the products cannot claim to help quit or reduce smoking. These include Australian Capital Territory (retailers must have a tobacco license) and Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales have the same rule but sellers don’t require a license.

The proposed changes

The Australian federal government are considering key changes targeting specific areas such as importation rules and tougher labelling laws. A public consultation will be held to cover the four areas:

  • Changes to importation and border control laws required to stop illegal products entering Australia
  • Pre-market assessments of vapes to create a regulated source of products for pharmacists and doctors to prescribe
  • Labelling, advertising and flavouring of vapes that make them attractive to children
  • Stronger identification and regulation of nicotine-containing products

While these are being debated, the health Minister Mark Butler, has announced a ban on menthol cigarettes and other cigarette flavours plus additives.

The public consultation on vaping reforms will be open until the 16th of January.

The AMA (Australian Medical Association) has welcomed the federal government’s plans to tighten tobacco control and calls for the below changes to be made:

  • reducing the concentration limit from 100mg/ml to 20mg/ml, and introducing limits on the flavours and volume of nicotine that can be prescribed or ordered,
  • banning the importation of nicotine vaping products through the Personal Importation Scheme,
  • adding Nicotine Vaping Products to Real Time Prescription Monitoring programs,
  • restricting the use of Medicare smoking cessation items to a patient’s usual doctor, consistent with previous advice provided by the AMA.

Have these regulations really helped?

There’s much to debate with Australia’s already tight regulations on vaping. They clearly haven’t had the impact the government wished as they feel the need to tighten them further. And research has suggested that these changes may have been more detrimental to the smoke-free objective.

A recent study published by the BMJ (British Medical Association) analysed the smoking rates and cigarette consumption in 6 jurisdictions, across different regulatory environments for vaping. These included Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and British Colombia, UK and Australia. It was noted that, unsurprisingly, Australia had lower rates of vaping and a much lower rate of declining smoking rates, in comparison to the other countries.

And other countries are taking note of the failings. CAPHRA (Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate) have submitted a consultation document to Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). They believe that Australia’s method of medicalising vaping is failing and that there needs to be open access for smokers looking to quit smoking.

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