Health organisation welcomes first medically-approved quit vaping product, renews call for tougher laws

Medically-approved support for Kiwis hooked on vaping offers hope for those ready to quit and is an important step in the fight against New Zealand’s vaping epidemic, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation says.

Medsafe has approved New Zealand’s first vaping-specific Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) product. The approval includes a therapeutic indication to treat nicotine vaping dependence.

Foundation Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says while this product has been on the market for years for smokers, this new indication recognises that NRT is not just for smokers who want to quit, but also for those struggling to quit vaping.

"Nicotine dependence from vaping is a real and growing problem, so having clinically validated support to quit is important."

"Medsafe’s approval of this product is a welcome development."

Figures from the Foundation’s nationwide 2024 youth vaping survey found that 20% of Year 12 students and 26% of Year 13 students reported vaping in the past seven days - a significant increase from previous years in this age group.

The Foundation has been conducting vaping education workshops in schools for years, aiming to curb vaping trends.

Last year, the Foundation strengthened prevention through a new community Train-the-Trainer programme - which equips educators, youth workers and whānau advocates with the tools to teach rangatahi about the harms of vaping.

The Foundation met with Associate Health Minister Casey Costello to request financial support for running these workshops and programmes, but was turned down, Ms Harding says.

"We are proud of our ongoing community education initiatives, but they are reliant on the generosity of our grant providers and donations.

"Luckily, these communities do care what is going on in their own backyards, and are prepared to back this mahi," she says

"While a cessation product is helpful for those already dependent, it doesn’t stop young people from starting in the first place."

The Foundation continues to advocate for stricter laws around vaping. 

It wants to see the Government halt the establishment of further Specialist Vape Retailers (SVRs), ban the sale of vapes in general retailer stores, invest in educational programmes like Train-the-Trainer, and re-examine the prescription model.