Health agencies highlighting changes limiting promotion of vapes

The Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand are today reminding vaping retailers of changes coming next month that are part of a broader push to limit the number of young people picking up vaping.

The reminder focuses on changes to the way vapes can be promoted in retail stores, on websites and in newsletters.

The latest changes were introduced to help address the rise in youth vaping. Some of the changes came into force at the time, others are coming into force next month.

The June changes include a complete ban on disposable vapes, visibility restrictions on vapes for retailers and increased restrictions on advertising.

Next month’s changes build on those introduced in December which included significant increases in fines for sales to under-18s, and proximity restrictions relating to early childhood education centres.

Director of Public Health Dr Corina Grey says, three weeks out from these significant series of changes coming into force, today’s reminder focuses on one part of the changes, the new restrictions on product advertising and promotions.

From 17 June, specialist vape stores will no longer be able to promote vaping products to existing customers.

Also, from next month online stores based in New Zealand will no longer be able to display images of their products nor link to sites with non-compliant pages including links to sites outside of New Zealand.

These changes bring vaping regulations more in line with restrictions on tobacco products.

Dr Grey says the Ministry is providing a series of reminders about the regulations that come into force on 17 June 2025, as the changes are significant, the penalties are much stronger and there will be no grace period once they’re in force.

Health NZ’s compliance officers will have a focus on these legislative changes when visiting retailers over the coming months.

Dr Grey adds we also want to significantly limit the number of young people picking up vaping. We know the best outcome health-wise for us all is to be both smokefree and vape-free.