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Story perspectives

Health NZ Funds Vaping Devices Amid Controversy

2/24/2026

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Story summary
  • Health NZ signed a $500,000 contract with New Zealand-owned Alt NZ Limited to provide free vaping devices for smoking cessation.
  • Since December, 7,290 devices and 67,750 pods have been distributed nationwide.
  • Letitia Harding of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation criticizes funding for unapproved vaping products over nicotine replacement therapies.
  • Jonathan Deverey of the Vaping Industry Association says vaping reduced smoking rates since 2018 and is a safer alternative to tobacco.