50654 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

50654 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What internal Ministry of Health or Health NZ documentation (briefings, memos, risk assessments), if any, exist supporting the decision by Health New Zealand to distribute vape kits?

Hon Casey Costello: Providing free access to vapes as a quit tool is an action in the plan, Getting to Smokefree 2025. This plan was approved by Health New Zealand executive leaders and published in November 2024. I am advised that Health New Zealand has recently completed a review of the effectiveness of the vaping devices pilot based on provider monitoring reports and that Health NZ’s Smokefree 2025 Steering Group considered an Innovation Fund options memo that included the procurement of vaping devices and nicotine pods to help stop smoking services support adult smokers to switch to less harmful products. I am advised that the Ministry of Health has no documentation on the decision by Health NZ to distribute vape kits.