In a bid to combat youth vaping, the New Zealand government introduced new vaping policies in June, aiming to curb the sale of vapes near schools and marae. However, a concerning loophole has emerged, allowing dairies and supermarkets to bypass the new proximity rule and begin selling vapes within 300 meters of these sensitive locations.
The New Vaping Policies and the Loophole
The government's new vaping policies were designed to restrict specialist vape retailers (SVRs) from setting up shop near schools and marae. The ban was meant to ensure that areas close to these places would not be inundated with new vape shops. But surprisingly, the ban does not apply to general retailers (GRs), which include dairies and supermarkets. Hence, these general retailers can still start selling vapes within 300 meters of schools and marae after October 1.
Concerns and Criticisms
The Ministry of Health's decision to allow general retailers to sell vapes near schools has faced criticism from various quarters. National Party health spokesman, Shane Reti, questions the ministry's claim that the new regulations will effectively restrict vaping from within 300 meters of schools. He demands transparency and an impact analysis to understand how these decisions were made and what their expected consequences will be.
Impact on the Community
Northcote residents have already experienced the impact of this loophole. A local dairy legally opened a vape shop just 160 meters away from Northcote College, raising concerns about its proximity to the school. Advocacy group Vape Free Kids NZ believes that more needs to be done to protect children from the harms of vaping, regardless of whether it is an SVR or a GR selling the products.
Rush to Open New Vape Shops
In West Auckland, there is a rush to build new vape shops before the October 1 deadline, taking advantage of the gap left open for general retailers. This trend has sparked unease among parents and communities, worried about the easy access to vaping products for young people.
Compliance and Responsibility
The owner of St. Mary's College Dairy, while understanding the community's concerns, asserts that they are following government guidelines and have obtained an approved license. They express their commitment to keeping the products safe and inaccessible to minors, adhering to the safety rules.
Conclusion
While the New Zealand government's efforts to curb youth vaping are commendable, the presence of this loophole raises questions about the effectiveness of the new policies. Allowing dairies and supermarkets to sell vapes near schools and marae undermines the very purpose of the ban on SVRs. Striking a balance between commercial interests and safeguarding young people's health should be the primary objective, and closing this loophole would be a step in the right direction.
FAQs
1. What are the new vaping policies introduced in New Zealand? The new vaping policies in New Zealand aim to curb youth vaping by banning specialist vape retailers from setting up near schools and marae.
2. Does the ban on vaping retailers apply to all types of retailers? No, the ban only applies to specialist vape retailers (SVRs). General retailers, including dairies and supermarkets, can still sell vapes within 300 meters of schools and marae.
3. Why are communities concerned about the new vaping policies? Communities are concerned that the loophole allowing general retailers to sell vapes near schools may still expose young people to vaping products.
4. What is the stance of Vape Free Kids NZ on the issue? Vape Free Kids NZ believes that the government's new rules are insufficient to protect children from the harms of vaping and nicotine exposure.
5. Are there plans to address the loophole? As of now, there have been no official statements regarding addressing the loophole in the vaping policies.