According to reports, Ayesha Verrall, the Minister of Health of New Zealand, will announce the government's strategy to address the issue of e-cigarettes among young people.

Although Verrall has not yet promised a complete ban on cheap disposable e-cigarettes or prescription use only, its goal is to strike a balance between using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool and preventing their attractiveness to young people.

The Australian government recently banned the import of e-cigarettes through pharmacies and introduced quality standards. Verrall did not confirm whether New Zealand would follow suit, but emphasized the need to develop e-cigarette policies that meet the specific needs of the country.

The proposed regulations include restricting the location of professional e-cigarette retailers near schools or sports fields, regulating e-cigarette flavor names, and implementing safety measures for disposable e-cigarette products. Some experts suggest taking further measures, such as educating young people and restricting the supply of pharmacies.

The previously passed legislation prohibiting the sale of tobacco to a generation did not include regulation of e-cigarette products and retailers.

As part of the 2025 smoke-free action plan, the government also plans to reduce the number of places selling tobacco products from 6000 to 600.