Over 27,000 kids vape daily.

Dear Party Leaders,

Vapes were originally legalised as a smoking cessation tool.

But with flavours like Sour Apple, Strawberry Cream, and Watermelon, they’re doing the opposite. Creating a new generation of nicotine addicts. Our kids.

Due to these candy flavours tens of thousands of kids and young people are now addicted to vaping.

27,000+ of 15-17 year-old Kiwi are vaping daily, with much younger kids also getting hooked.

There are more than 1,600 sweet and fruity vape flavours allowed in New Zealand. That’s over 80% of the market.

44% of young people say flavour is the most important factor when they choose a vape and enjoying the taste is the second highest reason why they vape.

Vaping doesn’t just cause the obvious physical harm to young lungs, brains, teeth and gums. The addiction correlates with increased anxiety, mood disorders and depression. Withdrawals affect their ability to concentrate in class. And it makes them more likely to transition to cigarettes, or other illicit substances in later life.

The solution to getting kids off nicotine isn’t pharmaceutical. It’s political.

This election, your party policies and the commitments of the future Government must address the problem.

Australia has already successfully implemented laws to restrict flavours to tobacco, menthol and mint, contributing to a 1/3 reduction in vaping among young people in recent years.

It’s time we did the same – before our kids need smoking cessation candy to help them quit vaping.

Yours sincerely,
New Zealand