New Zealand: Towards Management of E-Cigarette Addiction
New Zealand has authorized Nicorette QuickMist for vaping cessation, marking the first NRT approved for e-cigarette addiction.Summary
New Zealand’s Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (Medsafe) has authorized Nicorette QuickMist as a treatment for quitting vaping, making it the first nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) indicated for e-cigarette addiction. The Asthma and Respiratory Disease Foundation notes this as an important step, given the rise in nicotine addiction among vapers, particularly youth, as evidenced by a 2024 survey showing increased vaping rates among students. While welcoming this move, the Foundation advocates for stricter regulations, including limiting retail outlets and increasing educational programs, as the current pro-vaping government, with ties to the industry, is unlikely to implement such measures. This decision aligns with a global trend of strengthening vaping regulations, but New Zealand’s progress towards its “Smoke-free 2025” goal has been hampered by the current government’s stance, which promotes e-cigarettes and has repealed previous tobacco control legislation, contributing to a halt in the decline of traditional smoking among young people.
(Source：Génération sans tabac)
