The Ministry of Health says it is working on initiatives aimed at youth and vaping.

This follows criticism from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation towards the Government and the ministry, saying not enough is being done to curb the “growing epidemic”.

A 17-year-old vaper, who wishes to remain anonymous, tells SunLive getting vape products is easy and they usually don’t have any trouble getting access to them.

“It’s easy if you have older friends or know a place that may not check IDs.”

The vaping teen says most of the time they get asked for ID across all vape product-selling stores, however, some are stricter than others.

“Dairies don’t often check every ID and are more lenient when checking them.”

When asked if the new laws around selling vapes to those underage have made it more difficult to buy vape products, the youth says; “I don’t believe so. The new disposable pod systems are cheaper and better than the straight disposables that were available before so it’s made it better.”

In a recent article on SunLive, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell says vape products seem to be sold in every second store, making them easily accessible for youths.

Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell.

He says the government is working on plans to change this.

“The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act will be amended to ban the manufacture and sale of disposable vaping products.

“We are making this change because too many teenagers are using disposable vapes as they are cheap and easily accessible.”

The Ministry of Health has also created two initiatives focussed on youths and vaping.

“Te Whatu Ora Health Promotion has developed Let's Clear the Air, which provides information about youth vaping and ways to support the vapefree and smokefree kaupapa in schools,” says a MOH spokesperson.

“It is for school staff, whānau and youth service providers and has been developed with support from the Drug Foundation, Ministry of Education, Te Aka Whai Ora and clinical experts. 

“The Protect Your Breath campaign has also been designed to get Aotearoa’s youth thinking about their vaping. It has been designed by youth for youth along with schools and experts to explore ways to reduce the harms of youth vaping.

“The campaign appears on social media channels where young people spend their time, with the aim of provoking conversations and encouraging people to consider the impact of vaping on themselves and their communities.

“A website for parents has also been developed to support the campaign and provide more information about the campaign and its origin.

“It includes resources to support young people make critical decisions about their use of vaping products and provides information for parents when having conversations with their teenagers.”