Vaping information for stop-smoking services and health workers

To support people to quit smoking, the following activities are exempt from the prohibitions on advertising within the Act:

• any advice or message given by a suitably qualified health worker to an individual or to groups for the purpose of supporting them to switch from smoking to vaping
• public health messages issued by the Director-General of Health that are published by a public service or an individual or organisation funded by a public service (the Vaping Facts website (external link) has been issued as public health messages under the Act)
• the publication and dissemination of research about vaping products, smokeless tobacco products, and their use
• the publication and dissemination of research about encouraging smokers to switch to a product that is less harmful than smoking
• the publication of media articles, commentary, and opinion that encourage people to switch to a regulated product that is significantly less harmful than smoking, provided this is not sponsored by the manufacturer, importer, retailer or distributer of that product.

To support people to quit smoking, the following activities are exempt from the prohibitions within the Act:

• the supply of free or discounted vaping products as part of a publicly-funded smoking cessation programme, whether directly or via an industry participant such as a Specialist Vape Retailer or pharmacy
• the supply of flavoured vaping products as part of a publicly funded smoking cessation programme.

For the purposes of the Act, a suitably qualified health worker is either:

• a registered health practitioner
• a person who has completed the Stop Smoking Practitioners Programme (the Programme)
• a person who is undertaking the Programme and is being supervised by someone who has completed the Programme, or
• a peer support worker who is being supervised by someone who has completed the Programme.

The Director-General of Health may also declare a person to be a suitably qualified health worker by notice in the Gazette.

Starting January 2025, Stop Smoking Services providers will offer vape kits through a pilot initiative as an additional support option alongside nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and prescription medications for adults looking to quit smoking. 

• Vape devices and pods have been distributed to participating Stop Smoking Services early January 2025. There are 24 stop smoking providers who have received the vape kits.
• The total expenditure by Health New Zealand on vape kits and vape pods is $575,000
• The vape device brand is RELX Essential Vape and is distributed through Mission Brands
• 3430 vape kits have been distributed, and they are available from Stop Smoking Services who chose to take part in the pilot initiative.
• The flavours of the vape pods being provided are tobacco, mint and watermelon.
• The nicotine strength in the vape pods is 28.5 mg per mil.
• A vape kit includes one vape device and one vape pod. Additional vape pods will be supplied weekly or fortnightly during face-to-face sessions with the Stop Smoking Practitioner. These sessions also provide behavioural support to help individuals manage cravings, build healthier habits, and stay motivated on their quit journey. This approach ensures ongoing engagement with the Stop Smoking Service and maximises the chances of a successful quit attempt.
• At the end of the quit programme, the Stop Smoking Service will assess each client’s progress and discuss their confidence in remaining smokefree. They will also explore whether the client feels ready to gradually reduce their nicotine level towards quitting vaping.

• In New Zealand, vapes are regulated products with a role in smoking cessation and in reaching the Smokefree goal as a less harmful form of nicotine delivery compared to combusted tobacco. Health NZ expects stop smoking services will actively support clients to switch to less harmful products, including the provision of vaping devices.
• The Latest Cochrane Review: Electronic cigarettes for Smoking Cessation (2025) finds high certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than traditional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) in helping people quit smoking.
  Latest Cochrane Review: Electronic cigarettes for Smoking Cessation (2025) (external link)

The 2 relevant documents for guidance on smoking cessation in New Zealand are:

• The New Zealand Guidelines for Helping People to Stop Smoking (2021) that state, ‘Vaping products, especially those that contain nicotine, may help some people to stop smoking or cut down as they can address both the nicotine dependence and behavioural aspects of smoking’
  The New Zealand Guidelines for Helping People to Stop Smoking (2021) (external link)
• The Background and Recommendations for the New Zealand Guidelines for Helping People to Stop Smoking (2021) that recommends ‘vaping products with nicotine can be used to support smoking cessation or tobacco harm reduction’.
  Background and Recommendations for the New Zealand Guidelines for Helping People to Stop Smoking (2021) (external link)

Stop Smoking Services help with personalised plans to quit smoking

• provide behavioural support and withdrawal-oriented therapy
• provide free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (external link), such as lozenge, gum and patches, such as lozenge, gum and patches
• provide information about vaping (external link) or prescription medications to support quitting
• will work with the client to ensure the best chance of a successful quit attempt.

Find a stop smoking service | Smokefree (external link)

Support is available for individuals who want to quit vaping

After successfully quitting smoking, clients can choose to focus on quitting vaping but only when they feel confident that doing so will not lead to a relapse into smoking.

Who are the providers not supplying vapes and why?

• Takiri Mai Te Ata Stop Smoking Service – Wellington and Wairarapa
• NPHS South Canterbury Stop Smoking Service
• Pacific Health Services Hutt Valley
• Pacific Health Plus – Porirua
• Kaute Pasifika – Hamilton

Participation in this pilot initiative was optional for services. All Stop Smoking Services will continue to provide behavioural support in conjunction with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) options, including gum lozenges, and patches, as well as support for individuals opting to use prescription medications. A whānau strength-based approach remains central to all Stop Smoking Service delivery for quit support.

Reporting

Smoking cessation providers report quarterly, and Health NZ will be monitoring the uptake and outcomes of this pilot initiative.

Information and resources for health professionals can be found at:

• Vaping Facts (external link)
• Quitting smoking information for practitioners (external link)
• Smokefree (external link)