New Zealand’s Vaping Epidemic: A Growing Concern for Young People

The vaping epidemic in New Zealand has reached alarming levels, particularly among young people. According to recent statistics, the number of vapers in the country has increased by more than 200% since 2020. This trend is causing concern among health experts and policymakers, who are now working to address the issue.

**The Rise of Vaping Among Young People**

Young people in New Zealand are being targeted by retailers to purchase vaping products. Graham, a health expert, notes that “often it’s an older sibling, or an older person they know they can sneak a puff off.” She also highlights the problem of retailers who are well known within the community as providing these products to young people.

Graham emphasized the need for the community to listen to the voices of young people. “When we’re talking about policies that are going to impact our rangatahi, they need to be in the conversations,” she said. “That’s a big push for us to be able to invite them into these spaces and allow those conversations to happen.”

**Vaping Products Available to Young People**

In 2021, Vuse, a company owned by British American Tobacco, launched a promotion that gave out free vapes with purchases over $70. This move was seen as a major contributor to the increase in vaping among young people.

Additionally, retailers such as Countdown and New World have been accused of selling vaping products to minors without proper age verification checks. Graham noted that this is a significant issue, particularly for younger children who may not be aware of the risks associated with vaping.

**Lack of Age Verification**

The lack of effective age verification processes has allowed many young people to access vaping products easily. Graham emphasized that “it’s not just about getting the right age restriction in place, but also about having a system in place to ensure that it is enforced.”

Graham said that rangatahi (Māori for young people) are open to sharing how they access vapes and have revealed many gaps in the current systems.

**Government Response**

The New Zealand government has responded to the crisis by introducing stricter regulations on vaping products. The ban on flavored e-cigarettes has been effective in reducing the number of vapers, particularly among youth.

However, Graham emphasized that more needs to be done to address the issue. “We need to have a sustained effort over time to change the behaviors and attitudes around vaping,” she said.

**Conclusion**

The vaping epidemic in New Zealand is a growing concern for young people. The lack of effective age verification processes and targeted marketing by retailers has allowed many young people to access vaping products easily. Graham emphasized the need for policymakers to listen to the voices of young people and work with them to develop effective solutions to address this crisis.

As the government continues to introduce stricter regulations on vaping products, it is essential that we continue to monitor the situation and adapt our strategies as needed. By working together, we can ensure that young people in New Zealand are protected from the harm caused by vaping.