A study of New Zealand vape shops suggests half of retailers aren't checking IDs to ensure the buyer is 18 years old, as required by law.
The other half of vape shops asked for ID but, when a 20-year-old researcher (LK) posing as a shopper didn't provide one, a third of retailers sold the e-cigarettes anyway, the analysis also found.
"Only one store (1.4 percent) asked for ID when LK entered the store," said the study's authors.
Additionally, multiple stores were still selling disposable vapes banned last year, said the study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal on Friday.
"We observed non-compliant 'old stock' available at discounted prices throughout the study area (77 stores in Wellington, Porirua, Upper and Lower Hutt), with AirsPops the most widely available brand. Some retailers spontaneously explained that the products were discounted because they were no longer legal," the study added.
Across New Zealand, daily vaping between 2019 and 2023 surged to 15 percent from 2 percent among 15-17-year-olds, according to the Ministry of Health, a spike driven by easy access to vapes containing high amounts of nicotine, studies show.
To tackle the rising youth vaping trend, the former Government in 2023 announced it wouldn't allow new shops selling e-cigarettes to be established within 300 metres of schools or marae while limiting the flavour names vapes can have.
Earlier this year, the new Coalition Government went a step further by announcing a total ban on single-use vapes and bigger fines for those who sell to minors.
The study results, however, suggested more action was needed, the authors said.
"Cheap, high-nicotine vaping products remained widely available following the introduction of stricter regulations in December 2023; products for sale included discounted and non-compliant vapes," said the study.
"The majority of SVRs (specialist vape retailers) had poor age verification practices. There is an urgent need to clarify rules, increase enforcement efforts and disallow discounting and giveaways of vapes.
"Although SVRs did not break the law by selling to our 20-year-old mystery shopper, we find the lack of robust age verification practices unacceptable."
New Zealand's legal age for the sale of e-cigarettes and associated products is 18, but the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation has recommended raising it to 21.
"In conclusion, our findings indicate that recent regulations have been largely ineffective; postimplementation, high nicotine vapes remained widely available at prices school children could easily afford," the study added.
"While we have called for stronger policy, we also believe existing regulations require more comprehensive enforcement. Addressing the regulatory gaps and breaches we have identified must become an urgent priority if the Government is serious about reducing vaping among young people."
