Vape sellers in Central Otago and Southern Lakes are doing what they should and checking the age of purchasers.

Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand’s) Southern health promotion team recently carried out a controlled purchase operation (CPO) for vaping products in the region.

Nineteen retailers were visited in January including Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, Cromwell, and Queenstown. None sold a vape to the minor trying to buy one. 

Te Whatu Ora smokefree enforcement officer Stephanie Bekhuis-Pay said it was a highlight for her to let all retailers know that they did not sell to a minor during the test. 

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with this outcome and hope our community will be reassured that the majority of retailers are not selling to minors.”

Controlled purchase operations are carried out approximately every two to three months and involve a minor entering an outlet and asking to be sold a vaping or tobacco product. 

They are carried out more regularly when the retailer has been identified as selling vaping or tobacco products to a minor.

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) runs education training sessions with tobacco and vaping retailers, educating on what IDs are accepted in New Zealand and to talk through training systems for ensuring all staff members are aware of their obligations under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.   

If you are concerned that a retail outlet is selling vaping or tobacco products to a minor, please contact your local public health team. Find a  full list of public health phone numbers here.

The government is seeking feedback on measures to reduce the number of young people vaping.