While the Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA) agrees with the principles behind the Smokefree Generation, they remain concerned that it could be an overreach as the current youth smoking rate is below five percent.
"All adults have the right to make informed choices. The Government needs to be very sure before implementation that this will hold up legally. I have concerns about banning a consumer product when one cohort of the population reaches adulthood while other adult products, such as alcohol, remain open to them," said Nancy Loucas, Co-founder of AVCA.
"Malaysia is also proposing a generational tobacco ban – in its case to anyone born in and after 2007. However, mistakenly the Malaysian health minister wants to also include vaping products. New Zealand knows that if you are to get an entire generation off smoking, you must provide a viable alternative. Hopefully, Malaysian MPs will learn just that on their visit and amend accordingly."
