Latest news with #Costello
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Six high school sports takeaways, including a multitude of coaching hires, a girls' soccer player of the year, and more
'Her speed, especially with the ball at her feet, was impossible to contain,' said Dedham coach Don Savi . 'Maddie had a great shot with either foot, but what made her special was her passing ability. The old saying that she makes the players on her team better was 100 percent true with Maddie.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up A practiced pianist, Recupero volunteers with Project Just Because and as a youth soccer coach. She maintains a 4.62 weighted GPA and has donated her time to fundraising campaigns to benefit breast and brain cancer research. Advertisement 1. Costello's meteoric rise Newman School junior Quinn Costello garnered more than a dozen new Division 1 offers after a breakout performance at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, despite being a late invite after winning co-MVP honors the week before at the Pangos All-American camp. Related : The 6-foot-10-inch big from Medford, who started his high school career by winning a Division 1 state title as a freshman at BC High, previously had offers from San Diego, Columbia, and St. Louis. But after posting 14.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on 52 percent shooting at the Top 100 Camp, he drew offers from the likes of Michigan, Syracuse, Boston College, Providence, and more. Advertisement By the time he left the camp, his national ranking had jumped 137 spots. Costello, who plays with the Middlesex Magic, is now ranked 74th nationwide in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports. Quinn Costello's ranking jumped 147 spots and he picked up 12 offers after NBPA Top 100 Camp 😳🔥 — SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) 2. Commitment central ▪ Newman School junior Ava Egan , who grew up in North Attleborough, has committed to play women's basketball at Merrimack. A 6-foot-1-inch wing, Egan played for the Bay State Jags AAU program. 'I've always dreamed to play Division 1 college basketball and I am extremely grateful to everyone who has been a part of making my dream come true,' she wrote on social media. Committed!! 💙💛 — ava egan (@avaegan23) ▪ Boston College football's 18th recruit in its 2026 class is 6-foot-4-inch, 215-pound Bedford junior wide receiver/defensive end Mekhi Volcy . As a junior, Volcy caught 19 passes for 277 yards, while recording 25 tackles and two sacks on defense. 6-foot-4 wide receiver/defensive end Mekhi Volcy ( He announced his decision to commit on his personal Instagram. — Graham Dietz (@graham_dietz) ▪ At New Bedford High, signing ceremonies were held for senior Jarren Goodine , who is committed to play football at American International, and Zaria Anderson , who will play women's basketball at Framingham State. 3. Coaching carousel ▪ Taking the helm of the boys' basketball program at Xaverian will be Brian Cerone , most recently an assistant at Whitman-Hanson. He was previously the head coach at Mount Ida, an assistant at UMass Boston, and an assistant at his alma mater, Hanover High. The founder of the South Shore Wildcats AAU program, Cerone played at Wheaton after scoring more than 1,000 points at Hanover. Advertisement He takes over a Hawks team that went 10-10 in 2024-25, the last of six seasons under coach Ryan Shaheen , but reached the Division 1 semifinals as recently as 2024. Xaverian is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Cerone as the new varsity head basketball coach. — Xaverian Hawks (@Xaverian_Hawks) ▪ Bob Lomp is leaving Sandwich to take over the football program at New Bedford, where he succeeds Mark DeBrito , who stepped down after 11 seasons to focus on his duties as an assistant principal. Lomp has had several coaching stops in the South Coast area, including a 14-year stint at Apponequet, where he never had a losing season. He spent two years at Wareham, going 17-5, then was an assistant at Mass. Maritime, coaching quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends. Related : After going 5-5 in his first year at Sandwich in 2023, he led the Blue Knights to a 9-2 mark last fall, losing to eventual Division 6 state champion Hudson by a touchdown in the quarterfinals. The Whalers are coming off a 2-9 seasons and have an 11-36 record over the last five years. ▪ Beverly announced the hiring of Sean Willett to coach girls' basketball. A head coach with Mass Elite, Willett served as an assistant at Arlington Catholic and Wilmington. The Wakefield resident is an educator in Everett Public Schools. A Beverly native, Willett takes over for Seth Stantial , who stepped down to spend more time with his family after 10 seasons, which included a 7-11 mark last year. For those of you who know me, this is a dream come true. Born at Beverly Hospital in 1997 and now returning to lead the Beverly Panthers. Nana, I did it. 🏀🙏💯 — Sean Willett (@Coach_Willett) ▪ Anthony Nardella is returning to his alma mater to coach Beverly boys' lacrosse. Nardella spent the past three years as an assistant at St. John's Prep, winning a trio of state titles. He was previously the defensive coordinator at Saint Anselm. Advertisement A business and technology teacher at Beverly High, Nardella also coaches the Panthers' freshman football team. He takes over a Tigers team that went 4-12 last year, which snapped a string of three straight winning seasons. — Beverly Panthers (@BeverlyPanthers) ▪ Beverly also announced that Carla Femino will take over as the outdoor girls' track and field coach. Femino was previously a volunteer coach for three winter and two spring seasons, then spent one outdoor season coaching at St. John's Prep. The former high school track captain and collegiate rugby player at New Hampshire is taking over for longtime coach David Jellerson and will coach alongside Sean Dunleavy . — Beverly Panthers (@BeverlyPanthers) ▪ Former Greater New Bedford boys' basketball coach Donald 'Boomer' Rodrigues has been promoted to head boys' coach at Old Colony. Rodrigues, who was the head coach at GNB from 2012-16, has spent the last four years as the Cougars' JV coach, and has served as an assistant football coach at Old Colony for a a decade. The 1984 New Bedford High graduate takes over an Old Colony team that went 18-3 and won a second straight Mayflower Athletic Conference title last year under longtime coach Matt Trahan , the school's athletic director. Each week we will highlight one of our outstanding members of the coaching staff. Thank you Coach Boomer for all that you do for our teams and student-athletes at Old Colony. Let's give 2 claps and a whooooooo for Coach Rodrigues! @SC_Varsity6 — Cougar Athletics (@AthleticCougars) ▪ Katie Kolinski has been hired to take over the fast-rising Newman girls' basketball program as it moves up to NEPSAC Class AAA this upcoming season Kolinski, who got her start as the manager of the Syracuse men's basketball team before she graduated in 2016, has stops as an assistant at Buffalo, Lafayette, and Le Moyne. ▪ Harold Pini has stepped down as the Nauset softball coach after 10 seasons. Pini has coached softball for 29 years, including at Georgetown. Advertisement Nauset Regional High School would like to thank Harold Pini, our Head Softball Coach, for his dedication and commitment to our softball program. Coach Pini has decided to step down after 10 seasons at Nauset. We appreciate all of your work, Coach. Thank you!! 👋🏻🥎 — Nauset Athletics (@Nausetsports) 4. Agganis All-Star schedule The Agganis All-Star Games begin Sunday with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. at Manning Field. This is the 63rd year of the Agganis All-Star football game, while the baseball game has been played for 30 years, soccer games for 29 years, softball for 27, basketball for 20, and lacrosse for 13. The Agganis All-Star games help provide college scholarships to deserving student-athletes. Since the passing of Harry Agganis in 1955 at age 26, the foundation has awarded almost $2.6 million in scholarships to 1,074 student-athletes. The week's schedule: Sunday 11 a.m. — 13th girls' lacrosse at Manning Field Noon — 27th softball at Fraser Field 1 p.m. — 13th boys' lacrosse at Manning Field 2 p.m. — baseball at Fraser Field 5 p.m. — girls' soccer at Manning Field 6:30 p.m. — boys' soccer at Manning Field Monday 5:30 p.m. — boys' basketball at Lynn Classical 7 p.m. — girls' basketball at Lynn Classical Wednesday 6 p.m. — football at Manning Field Beyond excited to not only be selected to play at the Agganis All-Stars games for 🥎🏀 but also joining a network of — NevaehEth2025_fastpitch (@NevaehEth2025) 5. Bay State Games induct three into Hall of Fame Three new members will be inducted into the Bay State Games Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Fenway Park on June 27 prior to the Red Sox game against the Blue Jays. Pat Connaughton (basketball, baseball), Brian Harris (basketball, softball coach), and Ada Korkhin (pistol shooting) will join more than 70 prior honorees. 'It's an honor to recognize this year's class that includes an NBA champion, a US Olympic team member, and a volunteer coach of over 30 years,' said Kevin Cummings , the Bay State Games executive director. Related : Since his days at St. John's Prep, Connaughton has gone on to play basketball for Notre Dame and win an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Harris, a lifelong Somerville resident, has volunteered as a Bay State girls' basketball and softball coach for more than 30 years. Currently the Prospect Hill Academy Charter coach, he has won more than 500 career games including 18 years leading the Somerville girls and five with Arlington Catholic. Korkhin, a Brookline resident, served as a Bay State Games ambassador at Brookline High and began competing internationally at age 14, medaling at multiple world and US events. At 19, she made her Olympic debut in Paris. She is currently a member of the Ohio State shooting team. Advertisement 6. Austin Prep hockey joins Holt Austin Prep announced that its boys' hockey program will begin play in the Holt Conference starting next winter. The Holt Conference features two other Massachusetts schools in Pingree and Worcester Academy, plus Portsmouth Abbey in Rhode Island and Maine schools Berwick, Hebron, North Yarmouth, and Kents Hill. We are proud to announce our provisional membership into the Holt Conference! — Austin Prep AD (@AustinPrepAD) Brendan Kurie can be reached at
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Majority of Iranian Americans oppose US strikes on Iran, poll finds
A majority of Iranian Americans oppose military intervention in Iran and support a nuclear deal with Tehran, a new poll has found. The survey, released on Tuesday, found that a plurality of Iranian Americans strongly opposed strikes on Iran, more than the number who supported them to any degree, and that Iranian Americans favoured negotiations over sanctions or military action as a means of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The poll, conducted between 10 May and 2 June 2025, prior to Israel's strikes, was organised by the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), an advocacy group that describes itself as 'advancing the priorities of the Iranian-American community'. Israel began pummelling Iran with unprovoked air strikes on 13 June, bombing oil facilities, nuclear sites, and civilian neighbourhoods, saying the strikes were a necessary pre-emptive measure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran responded to Israel's attack, which has already killed hundreds of Iranians, with missile barrages of its own. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The spectre of US involvement looms over the conflict, a question amplified by US President Donald Trump's belligerent social media posts threatening military action. Opposition to military action According to the results of the survey, 53 percent of Iranian Americans either strongly oppose or somewhat oppose military action, compared to 36 percent who either somewhat or strongly support military action. Ryan Costello, policy director at NIAC, told Middle East Eye it was likely that opposition to military action would have increased following Israel's attacks on 13 June. 'Since it was conducted, Iranian Americans have had cause for their opinion to potentially shift pretty dramatically - and we'd expect it to typically be in an anti-war direction,' Costello said. 'Israel's bombing campaigns have been indiscriminate with a high civilian toll, foremost in Gaza, but also in Lebanon and now Iran. Apartment buildings have been levelled, car bombs set off, and even state TV was targeted,' Costello added. Israeli strikes have killed at least 585 people, according to Human Rights Activists, a US-based human rights watchdog. Iranian media reported that 60 of these people were killed in a single Israeli air strike on an apartment building in Tehran. NIAC's poll found that many Iranian Americans support a nuclear deal with Iran, with 62 percent of respondents supporting a deal and 24 percent opposing one. Meanwhile, Trump has said his patience for a deal is wearing thin, saying he is 'not too much in the mood to negotiate". On social media and TV, he has repeatedly demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender". NIAC's poll found that 49 percent of Iranian Americans believe negotiations would be the most successful way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. According to the survey, which was released earlier than anticipated by NIAC, 22 percent believe that military action would be the most effective method, while eight percent believe sanctions would be the most effective method. Around eight percent said that the US should not try to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 'There has been a concerted effort that we have seen in recent years to attack pro-diplomacy voices, including NIAC, and to portray the Iranian-American community as pro-war and against peaceful solutions. As the poll finds, this is not the case, and it is inaccurate to portray it as such,' Costello said. Regime change Among the voices clamouring for regime change is Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed last shah of Iran. Pahlavi, who has previously alluded to receiving US government funding, has appeared on TV networks urging Iranians to rise against the government in Tehran. Yet according to Costello, Iranian Americans are 'horrified, and the vast majority of voices we've seen both inside and outside Iran are condemning the war and hoping it doesn't get worse'. A YouGov survey conducted earlier this week found that American adults were largely opposed to American involvement in the conflict. The report, conducted shortly after Israel began striking Iran, found that 60 percent of American adults oppose US involvement and only 16 percent support it. Among Democrats, 15 percent support involvement and 65 percent oppose it. Even a majority of Republicans, 53 percent, oppose involvement, with only 23 percent supporting it, according to the poll. Among independents, only 11 percent support involvement while 61 percent oppose it.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
How these cafe heroes are inspiring next generation of community champions
They may officially be the country's local heroes, but cafe owners Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello are just happy to be away from the office. The pair run Stepping Stone, a social enterprise that began in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2017, and shifted to Canberra amid the pandemic in 2020. Their cafe helps female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness. The women develop skills and experience, which helps them get into the wider workforce. Named Australia's Local Heroes at January's Australian of the Year Awards, they have barely had time to take a breath since. A trip to the Northern Territory, to meet with other social enterprises and talk to schoolkids about their work, has marked another milestone for the couple - the first time they've been able to leave their staff in charge of the two bustling Stepping Stone cafes. "It's a relief, it's such a sense of achievement," Ms Brettell said over the phone from Melbourne. "It feels wonderful when we can go and everything works well. Obviously there are little hiccups, but we're on call, and that's all part of them growing. Us not being there actually enhances everyone's sense of responsibility and ownership over the businesses, and that sense of pride that they are responsible and can manage it without us." Ms Brettell and Ms Costello, who met more than a decade ago working at a London pub, have been invited by the Northern Territory National Australia Day Council. During Refugee Week, from June 15 to 21, they'll meet with another work integration social enterprise in Darwin and visit primary schools to present children with "Aussie of the month" awards. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NOMINATE NOW! "I think the main message that we want to get out to little kids is that if you see something that you want to change in your community, you can do it," Ms Costello said. "Talk to the adults, talk to the people around you, and you can affect the change that you want to see, really." Being named Australia's Local Heroes, apart from putting their enterprise on the map, had exposed them to new ways of thinking about their business and the people they helped and employed. "That additional publicity has led to new opportunities for us, actually looking at growing and scaling the business, and I guess having the award behind us is really motivating," Ms Brettell said. "It feels like we have a bit of responsibility to make the most of this year and take as many opportunities as we can for the women that work with us, but mostly for the women who are still waiting to work with us. We have about 60 women on our waiting list, so that's really the motivation to grow and scale the business this year." They are looking at other ways to employ the many women who need jobs. "We have a lot of women that we work with where hospitality isn't probably the environment for them," Ms Brettell said. "It can be a very stressful environment with a lot of fast paced things changing all of the time. We have been very lucky to have people in the community that have different skills that they can bring to the table. We don't want to say too much just yet, because nothing's set in stone, but some wheels are moving in the direction of starting different types of businesses or starting different types of operations and training opportunities for the women that we work with." Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at They may officially be the country's local heroes, but cafe owners Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello are just happy to be away from the office. The pair run Stepping Stone, a social enterprise that began in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2017, and shifted to Canberra amid the pandemic in 2020. Their cafe helps female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness. The women develop skills and experience, which helps them get into the wider workforce. Named Australia's Local Heroes at January's Australian of the Year Awards, they have barely had time to take a breath since. A trip to the Northern Territory, to meet with other social enterprises and talk to schoolkids about their work, has marked another milestone for the couple - the first time they've been able to leave their staff in charge of the two bustling Stepping Stone cafes. "It's a relief, it's such a sense of achievement," Ms Brettell said over the phone from Melbourne. "It feels wonderful when we can go and everything works well. Obviously there are little hiccups, but we're on call, and that's all part of them growing. Us not being there actually enhances everyone's sense of responsibility and ownership over the businesses, and that sense of pride that they are responsible and can manage it without us." Ms Brettell and Ms Costello, who met more than a decade ago working at a London pub, have been invited by the Northern Territory National Australia Day Council. During Refugee Week, from June 15 to 21, they'll meet with another work integration social enterprise in Darwin and visit primary schools to present children with "Aussie of the month" awards. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NOMINATE NOW! "I think the main message that we want to get out to little kids is that if you see something that you want to change in your community, you can do it," Ms Costello said. "Talk to the adults, talk to the people around you, and you can affect the change that you want to see, really." Being named Australia's Local Heroes, apart from putting their enterprise on the map, had exposed them to new ways of thinking about their business and the people they helped and employed. "That additional publicity has led to new opportunities for us, actually looking at growing and scaling the business, and I guess having the award behind us is really motivating," Ms Brettell said. "It feels like we have a bit of responsibility to make the most of this year and take as many opportunities as we can for the women that work with us, but mostly for the women who are still waiting to work with us. We have about 60 women on our waiting list, so that's really the motivation to grow and scale the business this year." They are looking at other ways to employ the many women who need jobs. "We have a lot of women that we work with where hospitality isn't probably the environment for them," Ms Brettell said. "It can be a very stressful environment with a lot of fast paced things changing all of the time. We have been very lucky to have people in the community that have different skills that they can bring to the table. We don't want to say too much just yet, because nothing's set in stone, but some wheels are moving in the direction of starting different types of businesses or starting different types of operations and training opportunities for the women that we work with." Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at They may officially be the country's local heroes, but cafe owners Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello are just happy to be away from the office. The pair run Stepping Stone, a social enterprise that began in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2017, and shifted to Canberra amid the pandemic in 2020. Their cafe helps female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness. The women develop skills and experience, which helps them get into the wider workforce. Named Australia's Local Heroes at January's Australian of the Year Awards, they have barely had time to take a breath since. A trip to the Northern Territory, to meet with other social enterprises and talk to schoolkids about their work, has marked another milestone for the couple - the first time they've been able to leave their staff in charge of the two bustling Stepping Stone cafes. "It's a relief, it's such a sense of achievement," Ms Brettell said over the phone from Melbourne. "It feels wonderful when we can go and everything works well. Obviously there are little hiccups, but we're on call, and that's all part of them growing. Us not being there actually enhances everyone's sense of responsibility and ownership over the businesses, and that sense of pride that they are responsible and can manage it without us." Ms Brettell and Ms Costello, who met more than a decade ago working at a London pub, have been invited by the Northern Territory National Australia Day Council. During Refugee Week, from June 15 to 21, they'll meet with another work integration social enterprise in Darwin and visit primary schools to present children with "Aussie of the month" awards. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NOMINATE NOW! "I think the main message that we want to get out to little kids is that if you see something that you want to change in your community, you can do it," Ms Costello said. "Talk to the adults, talk to the people around you, and you can affect the change that you want to see, really." Being named Australia's Local Heroes, apart from putting their enterprise on the map, had exposed them to new ways of thinking about their business and the people they helped and employed. "That additional publicity has led to new opportunities for us, actually looking at growing and scaling the business, and I guess having the award behind us is really motivating," Ms Brettell said. "It feels like we have a bit of responsibility to make the most of this year and take as many opportunities as we can for the women that work with us, but mostly for the women who are still waiting to work with us. We have about 60 women on our waiting list, so that's really the motivation to grow and scale the business this year." They are looking at other ways to employ the many women who need jobs. "We have a lot of women that we work with where hospitality isn't probably the environment for them," Ms Brettell said. "It can be a very stressful environment with a lot of fast paced things changing all of the time. We have been very lucky to have people in the community that have different skills that they can bring to the table. We don't want to say too much just yet, because nothing's set in stone, but some wheels are moving in the direction of starting different types of businesses or starting different types of operations and training opportunities for the women that we work with." Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at They may officially be the country's local heroes, but cafe owners Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello are just happy to be away from the office. The pair run Stepping Stone, a social enterprise that began in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2017, and shifted to Canberra amid the pandemic in 2020. Their cafe helps female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness. The women develop skills and experience, which helps them get into the wider workforce. Named Australia's Local Heroes at January's Australian of the Year Awards, they have barely had time to take a breath since. A trip to the Northern Territory, to meet with other social enterprises and talk to schoolkids about their work, has marked another milestone for the couple - the first time they've been able to leave their staff in charge of the two bustling Stepping Stone cafes. "It's a relief, it's such a sense of achievement," Ms Brettell said over the phone from Melbourne. "It feels wonderful when we can go and everything works well. Obviously there are little hiccups, but we're on call, and that's all part of them growing. Us not being there actually enhances everyone's sense of responsibility and ownership over the businesses, and that sense of pride that they are responsible and can manage it without us." Ms Brettell and Ms Costello, who met more than a decade ago working at a London pub, have been invited by the Northern Territory National Australia Day Council. During Refugee Week, from June 15 to 21, they'll meet with another work integration social enterprise in Darwin and visit primary schools to present children with "Aussie of the month" awards. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NOMINATE NOW! "I think the main message that we want to get out to little kids is that if you see something that you want to change in your community, you can do it," Ms Costello said. "Talk to the adults, talk to the people around you, and you can affect the change that you want to see, really." Being named Australia's Local Heroes, apart from putting their enterprise on the map, had exposed them to new ways of thinking about their business and the people they helped and employed. "That additional publicity has led to new opportunities for us, actually looking at growing and scaling the business, and I guess having the award behind us is really motivating," Ms Brettell said. "It feels like we have a bit of responsibility to make the most of this year and take as many opportunities as we can for the women that work with us, but mostly for the women who are still waiting to work with us. We have about 60 women on our waiting list, so that's really the motivation to grow and scale the business this year." They are looking at other ways to employ the many women who need jobs. "We have a lot of women that we work with where hospitality isn't probably the environment for them," Ms Brettell said. "It can be a very stressful environment with a lot of fast paced things changing all of the time. We have been very lucky to have people in the community that have different skills that they can bring to the table. We don't want to say too much just yet, because nothing's set in stone, but some wheels are moving in the direction of starting different types of businesses or starting different types of operations and training opportunities for the women that we work with." Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at
1News
4 days ago
- Health
- 1News
More enforcement officers as new vape rules come into effect
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello says the number of full-time equivalent officers focusing on enforcing vaping rules has increased. A raft of changes to vaping laws took effect today — including the banning of distribution, manufacture, sale and supply of disposable vapes. From today, penalties for breaching the ban were increased to up to $400,000 for a manufacturer, importer or large retailer, and $50,000 for any other person. The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) was passed in December, imposing tougher penalties for selling vapes to minors, further restrictions on where specialist vape stores can open, and rules on how specialist vape stores can look. There are new rules on how vaping products can be displayed. ADVERTISEMENT Speaking to Breakfast, Costello said the team dedicated to helping enforce the new rules had grown from two to 18 officers "so that the new rules and tougher penalties are supported by greater enforcement capability". Associate Health Minister Casey Costello. (Source: 1News) "We have regular dashboard reporting on what they're doing, where they're targeting, so I can see the productivity on a regular basis as to what we're actually achieving in this space," she said. "There was only two dedicated [officers] when I came into this role, so we have invested significantly in increasing that and driving accountability of what's been delivered." She said during school holidays the enforcement officers completed targeted secret shopper-style stings and improved reporting. "I know when I met with Vape Free Kids, the frustration they had is that complaints weren't being responded to. That has improved significantly and we are encouraging that reporting through." The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including disposable vape ban, Auckland Airport meth find, and why Europe hates tourists right now. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Costello said "receiving complaints is an important part of the process" for cracking down on online vape retailers too. "For too long, New Zealand didn't have vaping regulations in place. "Vaping has played a key role in helping people quit smoking, and we want vapes available to adults as a cessation tool, but vaping isn't for children and young people and that's why the Government has taken action." Charyl Robinson of Vape Free Kids NZ was pleased with the new rules. 'We just really hope the retailers comply," she told Breakfast. "We've seen examples in the past where retailers take no notice of regulations, because they they know that they overwhelmingly outnumber the enforcement team, so the chances of them getting away with breaching rules are in their favour."
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Vapes Stores Go Dark, Disposable Vapes Banned
Hon Casey Costello Associate Minister of Health Vaping law changes that take effect today ban disposable vapes and will make a noticeable difference to shop fronts and the marketing of vaping products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello says. 'This coalition Government committed to tackling youth vaping, and we've made practical changes to reduce the appeal of vaping to young people and to target retailers who sell vapes and tobacco products to our youth,' Ms Costello says. 'Today's changes implement the final parts of legislation passed in December. 'Disposable vapes, which have been the most popular products among young people, are now off the market.' Penalties for breaching the ban are up to $400,000 for a manufacturer, importer or large retailer, and $50,000 for any other person. 'Visibility restrictions also take effect today, which will change the way specialist vape stores look and mean that retailers like dairies, supermarkets and petrol stations need to have vape products out of sight,' Ms Costello says. 'Similarly, online stores will no longer be able to include images of vape products and New Zealand-based online stores are prevented from linking to overseas sites that have images of vaping products.' The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) that was passed in December had four main components: banning the manufacture, sale, supply, and distribution of disposable vapes increasing penalties for unlawful sales of vapes, cigarettes and other regulated products to minors imposing retail visibility restrictions for vaping products adding further proximity restrictions for specialist vape retailers. The increased penalties for selling vapes to minors, and restrictions on where specialist vape stores can open took effect at the time. The commencement of the disposable vape ban and the retail visibility restrictions were delayed six months to allow time for businesses to prepare for the changes. 'This also allowed for the recruitment and training of more dedicated smokefree enforcement officers – there are now 18 - so that the new rules and tougher penalties are supported by greater enforcement capability,' Ms Costello says. 'For too long, New Zealand didn't have vaping regulations in place. 'Vaping has played a key role in helping people quit smoking, and we want vapes available to adults as a cessation tool, but vaping isn't for children and young people and that's why the Government has taken action.'
