64672 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

64672 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: When was the Minister first made aware that heated tobacco products would be affected by the requirements for reusable vapes to have removable batteries and child-proofing mechanisms implemented on 1 October 2024?

Hon Casey Costello: The Ministry of Health first notified my office on 27 September 2024 in response to a media query. I note that the Member asked about products that did not have a child safety mechanism during Question Time on 23 July 2024 and I advised that I was not aware of which products would not meet the requirements. My concern has always been that suitable products are available to support smoking cessation and not which companies provide them.