Potential new regulatory options for e-cigarettes in New Zealand
Nick Wilson, Richard Edwards, Janet Hoek, George Thomson, Tony Blakely, Frederieke Sanne van der Deen, Brent Caldwell, Julian Crane
While e-cigarette usage has grown rapidly in New Zealand and around the world, the scientific evidence-base regarding the net benefits and risks of these types of products at the population level remains uncertain. The health-based policy experience is also minimal. In this article we analyse plausible future regulatory options for e-cigarettes that the New Zealand Government could explore, and that further research could help clarify. These options include: (1) a full free market (an option we doubt is desirable for multiple reasons); (2) controlled increased access through: (a) pharmacy only, (b) pharmacy only plus sales by prescription/to licensed vapers; (c) additional controls through non-profit supply/distribution (eg, public hospital pharmacies); (3) increased restrictions compared with currently (eg, a complete ban on self-imports and use).