Abstract
The Government, and almost everyone considering how to achieve a Smokefree Aotearoa, agrees that nicotine and tobacco products should be regulated proportionate to the harm
that they cause. However, following repeal of the previous Government’s smokefree measures, regulation is now disproportionate to risk as, in many important areas, smoked tobacco products have weaker regulation than vaping products. The Government must urgently address its espoused commitment to risk proportionate regulation by introducing regulations to greatly restrict the availability, appeal, and addictiveness of smoked tobacco products. At the same time, they must implement robust policies to protect young people from addiction to alternative nicotine and tobacco products.