New Zealand Government Updates E-cigarette Regulation: Disposable E-cigarette Ban Will Take Effect in June 2025

New Zealand government updates e-cigarette regulation: disposable e-cigarette ban will take effect in June 2025

The New Zealand government has amended the e-cigarette regulations, with some changes taking effect from December 17, 2024, including increased fines for violations and restrictions on the location of e-cigarette stores; other changes, such as restrictions on retail display of e-cigarette products and a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, will take effect on June 17, 2025.

Recently, the official website of the New Zealand Ministry of Health announced that the government has amended the Smoke-Free Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990, including restrictions on the location of e-cigarette stores, restrictions on advertising and retail displays, increased penalties, and a ban on disposable e-cigarettes. Some changes will take effect immediately, and some will be implemented six months later to give retailers time to prepare.

Increased penalties for violations

From December 17, 2024, fines for violating e-cigarette regulations will increase significantly. Fines for selling e-cigarettes to minors will increase from NZ$10,000 (about US$5,700) to NZ$100,000 (US$57,000) for legal persons and from NZ$5,000 (US$2,800) to NZ$10,000 (US$5,700) for other cases; fines for the infringement of selling products to minors will be imposed without prosecution, with manufacturers, importers, distributors or retailers increasing from NZ$500 (US$280) to NZ$2,000 (US$1,200) and NZ$1,000 (US$570) for other cases; fines for advertising e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products will be: NZ$200,000 (US$110,000) for manufacturers, importers or distributors, NZ$70,000 (US$40,000) for large retailers, and small retailers will increase their fines from NZ$15,000 (US$8,500) to NZ$50,000 (US$30,000).

Restrictions on the location of e-cigarette specialty shops

From 17 December 2024, new specialist e-cigarette shops (SVRs) must not be opened within 100 metres of an early childhood education centre (ECE). This restriction only applies to new specialist shops, not general retailers or existing specialist shops. The rules regarding specialist shops being more than 300 metres from schools and halls remain unchanged and existing rules still need to be followed. The Ministry of Health will conduct location checks on new shop applications to ensure compliance.

Information requirements for general retailers and other sellers of regulated products

From 17 December 2024, all general retailers (such as supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations) that sell e-cigarettes, herbal and smokeless tobacco products must notify the Ministry of Health of their sale of regulated products, which is called a Regulated Product Seller Notification (RPS). All notifiers will now also need to provide their business name and store address.

Restrictions on retail display of e-cigarette products

From 17 June 2025, general retail shops will be prohibited from displaying e-cigarette products and their packaging, and specialist e-cigarette retailers will also be prohibited from displaying these products outside their premises. This includes advertising in online stores and displaying in vending machines.

Ban on disposable e-cigarettes

The distribution, production, sale and supply of disposable e-cigarettes will come into effect on June 17, 2025. Cartridge-based e-cigarettes are not covered by the ban.

Restrictions on advertising in professional e-cigarette shops

From June 17, 2025, professional e-cigarette retailers will not be able to communicate about e-cigarette products to existing customers, will not be allowed to display visible posters or advertisements inside or outside the store, and online retailers will not be allowed to display e-cigarette products on their websites, including product images. In addition, in-store information related to e-cigarettes as a smoking alternative will still be allowed

Updates to the rules on discounts, promotions and giveaways in professional e-cigarette shops

From June 17, 2025, professional e-cigarette retailers (and their online stores) will no longer be able to offer free e-cigarette products, product discounts, rewards or gifts, or conduct promotions such as prize draws.