As part of our commitment to health promotion advocacy, Mahitahi Hauora has made a submission on the SERPA (Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill.

The Bill proposes three primary legislative changes to impact the smoking environment – reducing availability through restrictions on tobacco retail outlets; creating a smokefree generation by prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009; and de-nicotising tobacco products to reduce their appeal and addictiveness.

Drawing on evidence from various research and work done within the tobacco control sector, including mapping of tobacco and vape retail outlets across the country, our submission supports the changes proposed in the Bill. However, we note that similar restrictions have not been applied to the sale and distribution of vape products.

Vaping is becoming increasingly popular in our community, particularly among young people. Vaping carries health risks and, alarmingly, over two-thirds of specialist vape retailers are located in our highest deprivation areas. Mahitahi Hauora believes that vaping products should be subject to the same restrictions as tobacco products.

For more information about the Bill, click here. If you have any questions about Mahitahi Hauora’s submission on the SERPA Bill, please contact Warren Moetara, Director of Equity.