AVCA Update May 2017

Things have been…interesting…here in New Zealand (yes folks that is the understatement of the year).  First off, as I am sure most of international consumer advocates are aware, our Ministry of Health has called for nominations to the Technical Advisory Group that will be an integral part of the legislative process – providing information, guidance and discourse on the eventual regulation of nicotine e liquid and alternative nicotine products.  We had been previously advised that the group will officially convene after the election in September, however we are not certain as to the exact start date.   Nominations close on 9 June 17.  If you want more information on that, please see  here.   

Next, we have had the controversy over PMI being sued by the Ministry of Health for the “illegal sale of tobacco” by providing/importing HEET sticks on New Zealand that are used with the IQOS system in New Zealand.  You can see the official statement regarding this here.  This has been contentious as it does cast some shade on how the MoH will deal with the product in the regulation process.  As far as we know, the product is still up for discussion and not completely off the table to be included in the regulations.  We will hopefully know more after our next meeting with the MoH.   

As the consumer advocacy group for vaping and ELV’s (E Liquid Vapourisers), vaping is our priority.  Dr. Farsolinos has shared his presentation from the E-Cig Summit that shows, once again, that science is on our side.  You can view that here.

Of course, there are still quite a few who subscribe to “quit or die” and their attacks on those who are not wholly supportive of that mantra have ramped up recently, especially against vaping and vapers.  Whilst we expected this, it it disappointing and unproductive. The reasons for this are varied and this simply is not the place for an in depth analysis, suffice to say that this kind of behaviour will not deter us from our mission, aims and objectives. 

We feel that the dissemination of objective information, discourse/discussion and finding common ground towards best practice in achieving SmokeFree 2025.   In this, we will represent the vapers’ interests as the priority and hope to help to achieve regulations that will provide them with what they need/want in the least restrictive and draconian manner possible to the best of our ability.  Right now, our focus is on getting the right information out there and continuing to build upon our strengths, our networks and our success in helping people in their choice to vape.

We have come very far, it has taken a long time to get here, but we are here.  And we still have much to do.

Nancy Sutthoff
Nancy comes from a diverse administrative background that includes surgical research administration, teaching (primary and tertiary level), executive administration and community property management. For over 15 years she has been very active in community advocacy with youth, lower income folk needing advocacy and now, vaping advocacy. She brings a wealth of scientific, medical and research administrative/management knowledge with her to her role as CEO/Director at AVCA.