New Zealand government urged to promote e-cigarettes as a quitting tool for Māori

According to a report from Radio New Zealand, a Māori health academic institution claims that some health researchers and officials are spreading negative and false information about electronic cigarettes.

Latest data from the Ministry of Health shows that about 40% of Māori adults smoke.

Associate Professor Marewa Glover from Massey University stated that misinformation about electronic cigarettes is keeping people away from them, but electronic cigarettes can indeed help many people quit smoking.

Importing and selling nicotine for electronic cigarettes is banned in New Zealand, and this nicotine can only be purchased from overseas online stores.

Professor Glover noted that millions of people in Germany, the UK, and the US have switched to electronic cigarettes.

“Our health professionals themselves are not allowed to access or do not have accurate information, so they lack confidence in supporting our smokers to use this new personal electronic smoking device to quit smoking, which I find ridiculous.”

Professor Glover calls for official recognition of electronic cigarettes as a quitting method for Māori.

She mentioned that Māori are at a disadvantage because the nicotine used in electronic cigarette products can only be purchased from overseas online stores.

“So when buying online, you need a credit card, and you need to use a computer and have IT skills to search for and obtain information. Therefore, those who can use a computer have an immediate advantage, while many cannot access computers.”

Professor Glover stated that the overseas ban on electronic cigarettes is a shortsighted and harsh action.