PHANZ RAISES CONCERNS OVER ORAL TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) is calling on the Government to maintain a precautionary, evidence-based approach and oppose the sale of oral tobacco and oral nicotine products in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Although products such as nicotine pouches and Swedish snus are often marketed as less harmful than cigarettes, the PHANZ’s new policy position statement outlines the limited and inconclusive evidence regarding their long-term safety and effectiveness as smoking cessation tools.
Currently, the sale of oral tobacco and oral nicotine products is illegal in Aotearoa New Zealand, except for Medsafe-approved nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs). However, in 2024, Cabinet agreed in principle to allow the sale of smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products, subject to these products meeting safety requirements and the adoption of regulatory controls to prevent youth access.
PHANZ Chief Executive Dr Cadence Kaumoana says the organisation is particularly concerned about the risk of increased uptake among rangatahi and the potential creation of a new generation addicted to nicotine.
In addition, allowing new oral tobacco and nicotine products onto the market could undermine Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitments under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires countries to reduce tobacco use, prevent nicotine addiction, and protect public health policy from industry influence.
Read the full PHANZ policy position statement:
The media release supporting the release of this policy position statement is available below.