CAPHRA Supports Repeal

CAPHRA supports the New Zealand government’s decision to repeal elements of the Smokefree Environments Act

by Dave Cross
Dec 7, 2023

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The Coalition of Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has expressed its support for the New Zealand Government's decision to repeal elements of the Smokefree Environments Act, resulting in a more balanced approach to legislation rather than focussing on bans.

“The decision, part of the NZ First 2023 Coalition Agreement, is seen by CAPHRA as a balanced approach to tobacco control that focuses on harm reduction rather than outright prohibition,” said Nancy Loucas, a public health policy expert and passionate advocate for tobacco harm reduction and executive coordinator of the Coalition of Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Advocates.

“CAPHRA applauds the government's decision to prioritise harm reduction strategies," said Nancy Loucas. “We believe that vaping and other harm reduction tools can play a significant role in helping smokers quit, and we are pleased to see the government recognising this."

The organisation also shares the government's concerns about the potential for a black market to develop if the sale of tobacco is overly restricted.

“A regulated market is always preferable to an unregulated one, where product safety cannot be guaranteed,” Loucas added.

CAPHRA supports the government's plan to reform the regulation of vaping, smokeless tobacco, and oral nicotine products.

“These products can be part of a comprehensive harm reduction strategy,” Loucas said. “We also support the government's decision to ban single use disposable vaping products, which are often of lower quality and can be more harmful than reusable devices.”

The organisation agrees with the government's plan to increase penalties for illegal sales of tobacco and vaping products to those under 18.

“These products should only be available to adults who can make informed decisions about their use,” Loucas stated.

CAPHRA also supports the government's decision to tax only smoked products.

“This approach recognises the harm reduction potential of smokeless products and vaping devices,” Loucas said.

CAPHRA's views align with those of Eric Crampton, a well-known economist and commentator on public policy in New Zealand. "We are in agreement with Mr. Crampton's views on this issue," Loucas noted.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Advocates is a regional alliance of consumer tobacco harm reduction advocacy organisations. Its mission is to educate, advocate and represent the right of adult alternative nicotine consumers to access and use of products that reduce harm from tobacco use. CAPHRA says it remains committed to advocating for the rights of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region to access and use evidence-based, regulated, and properly marketed harm reduction products as a means of reducing the devastating impact of smoking-related diseases.

“We encourage further research, open dialogue, and collaboration with governments, health organisations, and stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcomes for public health,” it says.

Dave Cross

Journalist at POTV

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Dave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous vape companies to develop content for their websites.

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