Latest news with #SmokefreeEnvironmentsandRegulatedProductsAmendmentBill
1News
5 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
5 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.'
