Vape shops in New Zealand probably aren’t surprising anyone by displaying vaping products in their windows, but there are those who believe that new legislation should be passed to prevent vape shops from displaying vaping products in their windows.
The Ministry of Health weighed in on the notion in a proposal in which it said that such displays “are not problematic” while noting the need to balance protections for young people while also making it easier for smokers to switch to the less harmful alternative that is vaping.
“The Ministry of Health considers that existing displays of vaping products within retail premises or on websites (which are now required to be R18) are not problematic. In forming this view, we have taken account of the need to balance protections for children and young people with policies to make it easier for smokers to switch to a less harmful alternative.”
The proposal came in response to submissions to the Health Committee that included suggestions such as:
- Do not allow vaping products to be visible from outside any retail premise
- Prohibit window displays of vaping products
- Put constraints on how vaping products may be displayed within retail stores
We would love to hear from our readers on this issue. Do you think NZ vape stores should be allowed to display vaping products in their windows?