Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ encourages young people to swap vaping for outdoor activities

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ has launched a holiday season campaign encouraging young people to swap vaping for outdoor adventures by taking photos and sharing them on social media.

CEO Letitia Harding stated that the joy of nature does not come from vaping, and we hope to encourage our youth to embrace the true tranquility of the outdoors.

“Whether it's a New Year's resolution or not, we want to see young people break free from this habit and enjoy everything summer has to offer - beaches, sunshine, and good vibes.

“Now is the time to enjoy summer, focus on health, and break free from vaping.”

New data released last week shows that the number of 15- and 17-year-olds vaping daily has nearly doubled in the past year - a figure that is deeply concerning for the foundation.

Harding said, “That’s why we need more effort.”

“We need to educate young people that there are better things to do, and that’s exactly what we hope this campaign will encourage.”

The new vaping laws coming into effect later this week are also expected to help the foundation tackle the youth smoking epidemic, Harding stated.

Starting Thursday, it will be illegal for retailers to sell disposable vapes containing more than 20mg/mL of nicotine, those without removable batteries, those lacking child safety mechanisms, or those not meeting new labeling requirements.

Harding said, “For years, we have strongly advocated for reducing nicotine levels to 20mg/mL, so we are pleased to see this restriction implemented before the holiday season.”

The foundation hopes to ban all disposable vapes (including those with removable batteries), eliminate dedicated vape retailers, support the foundation's youth smoking harm education programs, impose a 20mg/mL nicotine limit on all vaping products, prohibit all front-of-store advertising and displays of vaping products, and reassess the prescription model.