The longer we wait…
Currently, we have been dealing with various issues on the ground surrounding the easy & ready availability of nicotine e liquid of unknown provenance being available in dollar stores throughout the country – when questioned, the proprietors of these establishments have refused to acknowledge that they should a) not be selling this and b) definitely should not be selling this to children from an ethical standpoint even if it is not written in law.
The reality, however, is the only law these shops are breaking is selling nicotine containing e-liquid, to anyone.
We have been contacted by a few health providers and by the parent of a student at one of the local colleges about students vaping both in town and on campus – with liquid and equipment purchased at the local dollar stores. The college has been advised that it is not illegal to vape (they believed it was) and that their best course of action would be to contact AVCA. Our stance on the matter is that they would need to include a no vaping on campus or in uniform clause in their student handbook to address the issue head on until there is some form of official guidance issued/regulation enacted by the government.
We at AVCA, and the wider vaping community in New Zealand, believe and want that people can access the products they need for tobacco harm reduction, legally, with guarantee that what they are purchasing is of the highest quality, risk aversive and they are provided knowledgeable, experience support in their use. If one utilises vaping for recreation, that is definitely an 18+ consumer product no different than any other age restricted adult consumer product.
This current situation is clearly unacceptable as we at AVCA, and our community of vapers in New Zealand. E-cigarettes and nicotine e liquid should be legal and sold retail as an 18+ consumer product though a controlled scheme of registration of legitimate vape businesses with the government with enforcement.
Our suggested framework was given in our submission to the government on the legalisation of nicotine e liquid. A framework which was devised from the combination of existing regulation of products, scientific evidence and examples of practical application taken from the UK. This framework is already in place as self regulation by the members of VTANZ (www.vtanz.org.nz) and those who have applied to be part of the AVCA Approved Vendor Program.
Harm Reduction and Harm Prevention go hand in hand in this context. Do we want people to smoke because they cannot access an alternative therefore creating a barrier to harm reduction? Do we want to cause harm by not addressing the issues outlined above and perhaps putting people at risk of harm?
The liability and responsibility for any harm at this point in time, lays at the feet of those who are responsible for the law by lack of action on a known issue. Addressing this in a timely, effective manner that will benefit the wider population is the correct answer to the questions raised herein.
