Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, with millions of lives lost each year to smoking-related illnesses. In Australia, 2.2 million people still smoke despite decades of public health efforts. The urgency to find effective solutions has never been greater.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is emerging as a global leader in tobacco harm reduction, demonstrating that innovative, evidence-based policies can drastically reduce smoking rates. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello’s statement, “Vaping has played a key role in reducing smoking rates, and the government supports adults switching to vaping because vaping is far less harmful than smoking cigarettes,” encapsulates the nation’s progressive stance. This approach stands in stark contrast to Australia’s more restrictive policies, which risk stalling or even reversing progress.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537907/vaping-kits-to-be-made-free-for-smokers-to-help-them-quit
This blog explores the stark differences between the two countries’ approaches to vaping, examines the outcomes, and highlights what Australia can learn from New Zealand to save lives and achieve meaningful public health gains.
New Zealand’s Approach: A Case Study in Harm Reduction
New Zealand has embraced vaping as a cornerstone of its public health strategy. Recognising the harm-reduction potential of vaping, the government has implemented policies that make vaping accessible, appealing, and safe for adults, while protecting youth.
Key Features of New Zealand’s Policy
1. Accessibility and Regulation
• Vaping products are widely available in retail outlets under strict regulation. This ensures adult smokers have easy access to safer alternatives without the barriers of prescriptions or pharmacy-only sales.
• Clear labelling and quality standards ensure products meet safety benchmarks.
2. Education and Public Messaging
• Public health campaigns actively promote vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking, countering misinformation and encouraging smokers to make informed decisions.
• Minister Costello and other public officials frequently reinforce the safety and efficacy of vaping, building public confidence in harm-reduction tools.
3. Flavour Availability
• Flavours are allowed but regulated to prevent appeal to youth. Adult smokers benefit from a range of options, making vaping a more attractive alternative to smoking.
4. Youth Protections
• Strict age restrictions are enforced, with significant penalties for selling to minors. Education initiatives target youth to prevent uptake, while still ensuring adults have access to products.
The Results
New Zealand’s progressive approach is delivering tangible results:
• Smoking rates are declining at unprecedented rates. The country is on track to achieve its Smokefree 2025 goal, with fewer than 5% of adults projected to smoke by 2025.
• Surveys indicate high awareness among smokers of vaping as a safer option, with many reporting successful transitions away from cigarettes.
Australia’s Approach: Restriction and Stagnation
In stark contrast, Australia has taken a far more restrictive approach to vaping, driven by a cautious stance on emerging technologies and concerns about youth uptake. While well-intentioned, these policies are undermining harm-reduction efforts and leaving smokers with fewer viable options.
Key Barriers in Australia
1. Pharmacy-Only Access
• Nicotine vaping products are only available with a prescription, which must be filled at a pharmacy.
• This system creates significant barriers, including limited access, cumbersome processes, and high costs. Many smokers either remain unaware of this pathway or find it too inconvenient, often turning to cigarettes or black-market products.
2. Limited Public Messaging
• Public health campaigns in Australia have focused heavily on the risks of vaping, with little emphasis on its potential as a harm-reduction tool.
• This has led to widespread misinformation, with many smokers incorrectly believing that vaping is as harmful—or even more harmful—than smoking.
3. Flavour and Product Restrictions
• Australia has implemented strict flavour bans and product limitations, reducing the appeal of vaping for adult smokers.
• By stripping away options that make vaping an effective quitting tool, these policies risk driving smokers back to cigarettes.
4. Lack of Balanced Youth Protections
• Policies prioritise youth deterrence at the expense of adult access. Blanket bans and restrictive measures fail to acknowledge the critical role vaping plays in helping adults quit smoking.
The Consequences
The results of Australia’s restrictive policies are evident:
• Smoking rates have plateaued, signalling stagnation in the fight against tobacco-related harm.
• Black-market vaping products are proliferating, often of questionable quality and safety, posing risks to public health.
• Public misunderstanding about vaping persists, further discouraging smokers from making the switch.
Lessons for Australia: Adopting New Zealand’s Model
To revitalise its efforts to reduce smoking rates, Australia must take a page from New Zealand’s playbook. Evidence-based policies that balance accessibility with safety could transform the landscape of smoking cessation in the country.
1. Make Vaping More Accessible
The pharmacy-only model is failing smokers. Allowing regulated, over-the-counter sales of nicotine vaping products would remove unnecessary barriers, making it easier for adults to access safer alternatives. By creating a robust regulatory framework, Australia can ensure product safety while reducing reliance on the black market.
2. Promote Harm Reduction Through Education
Misinformation is a significant barrier to harm reduction. Public health campaigns must communicate the scientific consensus: vaping is far less harmful than smoking. Empowering smokers with accurate information will enable them to make informed decisions for their health.
3. Allow Flavours for Adults
Flavours play a crucial role in helping smokers transition away from cigarettes. By offering a variety of flavours, Australia could increase the appeal and effectiveness of vaping as a quitting tool, while regulating marketing to ensure it does not target youth.
4. Implement Balanced Youth Protections
Australia can learn from New Zealand’s success in preventing youth uptake without penalising adult smokers. Strict age restrictions, combined with education and enforcement, strike a balance between protecting youth and supporting harm reduction.
A Call to Action for Policymakers
Australia stands at a crossroads. The country’s cautious approach to vaping, while rooted in concern for public health, is failing to deliver the outcomes needed to reduce smoking rates. Policymakers like Health Minister Mark Butler must look beyond restrictive measures and embrace the evidence-based strategies that have proven successful in New Zealand.
The science is clear: vaping is far less harmful than smoking. By supporting adult smokers in switching, Australia could save thousands of lives, reduce healthcare costs, and make meaningful progress toward a smoke-free future. The time for action is now.
Conclusion: A Shared Goal, A Better Path Forward
New Zealand’s success story offers hope and guidance for Australia. Both nations share the goal of reducing smoking-related harm, but the paths they’ve chosen could not be more different. By adopting New Zealand’s progressive approach, Australia has the opportunity to turn the tide, supporting its citizens in making healthier choices and building a brighter, smoke-free future for all.