New Zealand "straightforward" with disposable e-cigarettes

New Zealand says "no" to single-use e-cigarettes in the context that the country is gradually banning the sale of cigarettes. (Source: Anadolu)

Banning single-use e-cigarettes is New Zealand's latest move in an anti-smoking drive, moving towards a near-total ban on tobacco sales.

New Zealand Health Minister Ayesha Verrall stated that single-use e-cigarettes will be banned from August. Under the new rules, all e-cigarette devices sold in the country will have to have a removable or replaceable battery.

To protect children, the government also banned the opening of new e-cigarette shops within 300 meters of schools and the marae, a meeting place for indigenous Maori people.

"Too many young people are using e-cigarettes, which is why we are taking some steps to prevent that from happening," she said.

New Zealand's smoking rate has halved from 10 years ago, with the number of smokers falling by 56.000 in the past year. The number of adults who smoke is now relatively low – just 8%.

However, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins emphasized the need to limit e-cigarettes for young people.

Six months ago, New Zealand announced that it would take steps to make tobacco-free people under the age of 14 permanently out of reach, raising the smoking age every year until the entire population is smoke-free.

In neighboring Australia, last month, Health Minister Mark Butler said Canberra also banned single-use e-cigarettes.

Affirming that e-cigarettes are not "a product for children", Mr Butler said the government will raise tobacco taxes by 5% over the next nine years, starting in September.