Reducing max nicotine levels in vapes is NOT a good idea

The New Zealand Ministry of Health recently announced its plans to reduce the maximum allowable nicotine concentration in e-cigarettes from 50mg/ml to 28.5mg/ml. This decision has been met with criticism from many in the vaping community, including us. We believe that this move is misguided and will have negative consequences for public health. Here are five reasons why we disagree with the Ministry of Health’s decision:

1. It will make it harder for smokers to quit

One of the main reasons why people use e-cigarettes is to quit smoking. High nicotine concentrations are often necessary for heavy smokers to effectively transition from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes. By reducing the maximum allowable nicotine concentration, the Ministry of Health is limiting the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. This could make it harder for smokers to quit and increase the number of people who continue to smoke traditional cigarettes.

2. It ignores the potential harm reduction benefits of e-cigarettes

While there is still much research to be done on the long-term effects of e-cigarette use, there is evidence to suggest that they may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes. By limiting the effectiveness of e-cigarettes, the Ministry of Health is ignoring the potential harm reduction benefits that these products may offer to smokers. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Aerosol Science found that e-cigarettes produce significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to traditional cigarettes.

3. It may lead to increased use of black market products

If e-cigarettes become less effective due to lower nicotine concentrations, some users may turn to black market products that contain higher concentrations of nicotine. This could increase the risk of harm to users, as black market products are often unregulated and may contain harmful additives. In fact, a recent study published in the journal Tobacco Control found that black market e-cigarettes were more likely to contain harmful chemicals compared to regulated products.

4. It may disproportionately impact marginalised communities

Research has shown that marginalised communities, such as low-income and LGBTQ+ populations, are more likely to use e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. By reducing the maximum allowable nicotine concentration, the Ministry of Health may be disproportionately impacting these communities and limiting their access to effective smoking cessation tools. This could exacerbate existing health disparities and further marginalize these communities.

5. It is not supported by the evidence

The Ministry of Health claims that reducing the maximum allowable nicotine concentration will protect public health. However, there is little evidence to support this claim. In fact, a recent systematic review published in the journal Addiction found that higher nicotine concentrations in e-cigarettes were associated with higher quit rates among smokers. This suggests that reducing the maximum allowable nicotine concentration may actually be counterproductive to public health efforts to reduce smoking rates.

In conclusion

We believe that the New Zealand Ministry of Health’s decision to reduce the maximum allowable nicotine concentration in e-cigarettes is misguided and not supported by the evidence. This move may limit the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, ignore the potential harm reduction benefits of e-cigarettes, lead to increased use of black market products, disproportionately impact marginalised communities, and be counterproductive to public health efforts to reduce smoking rates. We urge the Ministry of Health to reconsider this decision and to prioritise public health by supporting effective smoking cessation tools.