Allowing convenience stores to operate as ‘specialist vape retailers’ makes a mockery of New Zealand’s vaping laws, it has been claimed.
Under legislation introduced in 2020 only licenced specialist vape retailers are allowed to sell a full range of flavours. Other establishments are limited to selling products in just three flavours – mint, menthol and tobacco.
However, many convenience stores have created a separate vape section within their premises to overcome the restrictions. The country’s vape advocacy group AVCA said so many owners had taken advantage of the loophole that it now must urgently be addressed.
AVCA co-founder Nancy Loucas said: “There is no reason why anyone should have a plywood box in their convenience store and be licenced as a Specialist Vape Retailer.
“These supposed SVRs are not manned by trained vape retailers.
“Not only has this practice seen the number of SVRs in New Zealand soar over the past two years, but it has contributed to the illegal selling of vaping products to minors which AVCA has called on the authorities to get tough on.”
She said despite New Zealand’s approach to vape regulation winning praise from around the world, the industry still gets plenty of negative media coverage.
Now she hopes the government will close the loophole in an amendment to the legislation which is currently being considered by parliament.
Proposed changes include tightening up the requirements needed to be classed as a specialist vape retailer.
These include requiring the store to be a fixed permanent structure where 70 percent of total sales are from vape products.
Loucas added:
“Tidying up the 2020 vaping legislation will help reduce access to minors and ensure smokers keen to switch receive better advice.”
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