And while those products have contributed to reduced smoking rates overseas, New Zealand experts on tobacco control are sceptical about whether they would be successful here.
National has also agreed with NZ First to “reform the regulation of vaping, smokeless tobacco, and oral nicotine products”.
Vaping is already championed as a smoking cessation tool in New Zealand and heated tobacco products - in which tobacco is warmed rather than burned - are legal but not widely used.
Oral nicotine products, which include nicotine pouches or snuff/snus, are banned in New Zealand.
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello, who is responsible for policy relating to smoking and vaping, said she was getting advice on all these products and what role they might play in helping smokers quit.
“Early information I have got around oral nicotine is that it was used highly successfully in Scandinavian countries,” she told the Herald.
“I think Sweden was one of the first countries in Europe to reach below that 5 per cent threshold. And how much oral nicotine products contributed to that - I’m really interested to understand how that worked.”
NZ First MP and Associate Health Minister Casey Costello is responsible for the new Government's smoking and vaping policies. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Sweden has the lowest smoking rate in Europe, which is partly attributed to its high rates of snus use.
University of Auckland Professor Chris Bullen, who specialises in tobacco control, said he was not convinced more smoking alternatives were needed in New Zealand.
“Chewing tobacco is likely to be a lot less harmful than smoking tobacco, but it’s not completely safe,” Bullen said.
“And in my personal view, I don’t think introducing other products into the mix here in New Zealand is a good [idea].”
He said there were unique factors in Sweden which would be difficult to replicate in other countries: snus was culturally significant, widely available, and had been purified to remove particularly harmful ingredients.
Bullen said the existing tools and policies in New Zealand already appeared to be working regarding reducing smoking rates, though further work was needed around issues like youth vaping.
Professor Janet Hoek said there was a much stronger evidence base for measures which were being repealed by the Government, such as reducing the nicotine content in cigarettes.
University of Otago Professor Janet Hoek, who co-chairs the Aspire2025 smokefree research group, said it was misleading to cite Sweden as an example because its cultural traditions around snus were very different to New Zealand.
She was also concerned that the new Government’s smokefree policies appeared to align closely with the tobacco industry.
“We know that tobacco companies and the groups that they give money to for a very long time have wanted a more liberal tobacco marketplace, so we need to watch that space carefully.”
Hoek said the evidence base was much stronger for denicotinisation, reducing retail outlets and creating a smokefree generation - all measures which the Government planned to repeal.
The National Party supported reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes when the smokefree legislation was debated, but wanted it to be introduced before the other measures. It was also concerned that law changes would drive a black market for tobacco.
Snuff usually comes in a pouch which is placed inside the cheek or gums and provides a strong nicotine hit.
While it is still addictive because of its nicotine content, it is not as harmful as smoking because it does not involve inhalation.
However, it is still carcinogenic and has been linked to increased risk of mouth, throat and pancreatic cancers.
She was interesting in looking at whether vapes should only be sold by trained staff in “reputable businesses”, but wanted to be sure that she was not simply creating complicated, unworkable regulations.
She would also look at whether vapes might be provided to smokers wanting to quit.
“At the moment, you get provided a supply of nicotine gum or patches … so whether vaping products are adding to that is another option.”
Under its coalition agreements, National has agreed to increase penalties for selling vapes to youths under the age of 18 and consider requiring a liquor licence to sell vaping products.
Snuffing out smoking: The smoking cessation tools being reviewed by Government
Vapes: Involves heating a nicotine liquid to create an aerosol which is inhaled. Readily available in New Zealand in specialist stores and general stores (dairies, supermarkets). Some limitations on nicotine strength, advertising and labelling.
Smokeless tobacco: Also known as heated tobacco, in which tobacco is heated but not smoked within a specialised device to create a less harmful nicotine hit. Very popular in Japan but not in NZ. Faces the same regulations as vaping.
Oral nicotine: Usually sold as nicotine pouches and known as snuff or snus. Can be imported for personal use in NZ but cannot be sold or supplied (some stores sell tobacco-less snuff). Popular in some Scandinavian countries. There are legal exceptions for medical treatments, such as lozenges.
Isaac Davison is an Auckland-based reporter who covers health issues. He joined the Herald in 2008 and has previously covered the environment, politics, and social issues.
