Kerre Woodham: We should go the way of Australia when it comes to vaping

Yet again, unintended consequences have put the kibosh on the Government's best intentions.

A loophole in a law designed to curb youth vaping will allow dairies and supermarkets to avoid the new proximity rule, and they'll be able to start selling vapes within 300 metres of schools and marae.

Special vape retailers - basically, they're just little holes in the wall - they have been banned from selling the addictive little suckers, but dairies and supermarkets have not.

General retailers like the dairies and supermarkets who do not currently sell vapes,  can still set up after October 1st, but interestingly they will be restricted to mint, menthol and tobacco flavours.

I think that's a good move.  

Vape Free Kids New Zealand spokesperson Marnie Wilton says the new rules from the Government are not doing enough to protect children by allowing the general retailers to set up shop.

So you know, yet again it's poorly thought-out legislation.

Should we go the way of Australia? I rather think we should.

If the health impacts are proven, and known to be harmful, ban it and put it on prescription.

Call it out for what it is, if it's a smoking cessation tool, make it available on prescription.

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