The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) welcomes New Zealand’s forward-thinking decision to include oral nicotine products as part of its strategy to remain a global leader in achieving a smokefree future.

As Professor Robert Beaglehole noted in the NZ Herald on 11 July “Vaping has helped many – but it’s not a silver bullet. We should also consider legalising and regulating synthetic-nicotine pouches, regarded as among the safest alternative products. Already available via the black market, bringing them under regulation would allow for quality control, responsible marketing, and youth safeguards.”

Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, said, “New Zealand has shown the world what’s possible when governments trust science over ideology. Including oral nicotine products in the harm reduction toolkit recognises what Sweden has already proven—these products are particularly effective for people who have struggled with traditional quitting methods.”

International experience, especially from Sweden, shows that oral nicotine pouches have helped accelerate smoking declines, particularly among women, who have seen quit rates rise dramatically. Research indicates that nicotine pouches outperform other quit aids, offering a safer, more socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly alternative to cigarettes. In the latest Eurobarometer Report, countries such as Greece and Czechia have also greatly benefitted from the regulation and availability of oral nicotine pouches.

While some anti-tobacco activists still favour prohibition, evidence from around the world shows that countries embracing harm reduction see smoking rates drop much faster. “The pattern is unmistakable: providing alternatives alongside traditional measures delivers the best results. We must not let ideology prevent access to life-saving innovations,” Loucas emphasised.

Oral nicotine products are another vital tool in the smokefree toolbox. Just as New Zealand’s embrace of vaping alongside traditional cessation methods delivered unprecedented results, oral nicotine products will ensure every smoker has access to the method that works best for them.

CAPHRA commends this government’s leadership in continuing to explore comprehensive tobacco harm reduction and supports New Zealand’s continued evolution as a global leader in evidence-based tobacco control.

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