NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand’s ACT Party is backing the government’s decision to legalize nicotine e-cigarettes, saying that it is the biggest thing National has done to tackle poverty in a very long time.
According to ACT leader David Seymour, for the 35.5% of Maori families who smoke, switching from tobacco to e-cigarettes could save them hundreds of dollars per week, and help them quit. “Low-income families are being absolutely destroyed by taxes on tobacco; this gives them the opportunity to get nicotine without paying excise tax,” he said.
He further said that as the government is not going to tax these products like they do tobacco, nobody is going to bother stealing them, leading to a reduction in thefts from dairies and service stations. “The value [of an e-cigarette] is practically worthless – you’d be better off stealing milk and bread. It’s because of the high taxes that it’s worthwhile stealing tobacco.”
On the other hand, Labor Party health spokesman, David Clark, urged caution on the issue, saying tobacco companies have a vested interest in some of these products and the government will have to keep tabs on that.
However, Seymour disagrees, saying all the research and anecdotal evidence points to the health benefits of smoking e-cigarettes for a nicotine hit over tobacco. “The Labor Party, typically, are more worried about tobacco companies than they are about the welfare of people who will get a safer product and a massive tax reduction if they’re addicted to nicotine.”
Otago University health department professor Tony Blakely agrees, saying the legalization of these products is a big step forward in New Zealand’s goal to become smoke-free by 2025. He also said the sale of e-cigarettes will reduce the demand for tobacco and help smokers quit, and that the government should consider other replacement options as well.