A plain-language guide to what the current rules mean for vapers and retailers in New Zealand.

Last updated: March 2026

New Zealand's vaping regulations have changed significantly over the past two years. Whether you are a vaper wanting to understand the current rules, or simply curious about what is and is not legal, this guide breaks down the key regulations under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act in plain language.

The short version: Disposable vapes are banned. All devices must be rechargeable with safety features. E-liquid nicotine is capped at 28.5 mg/mL. Advertising and public display of vaping products is restricted. Only licensed specialist retailers and online stores can sell vaping products. The minimum purchase age is 18.

Timeline of Key Changes

The regulations did not arrive all at once. Here is a timeline of the major milestones:

Date	What Changed
11 November 2020	Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act passed into law
21 December 2023	Initial disposable vape compliance requirements introduced
21 March 2024	E-liquid labelling standards came into effect
1 October 2024	Device safety mechanism rules enforced (child-safety activation, auto-shutoff)
18 December 2024	Location restrictions and increased penalties came into force
17 June 2025	Disposable vape ban and retail display restrictions took effect

The Disposable Vape Ban

What is banned

Effective: 17 June 2025

All non-rechargeable and non-refillable vaping products are prohibited from being manufactured, distributed, sold, or supplied in New Zealand. This means any vape device that is designed to be used once and thrown away is illegal to sell.

The ban specifically targets devices that cannot have their battery recharged or their e-liquid refilled or replaced. If a device has both a non-rechargeable battery and a non-replaceable e-liquid reservoir, it is classified as a disposable and is banned.

The ban was introduced for three primary reasons: environmental concerns about single-use electronic waste, youth uptake prevention (disposables were particularly popular with younger users), and safety standardisation (disposables often lacked the safety features now required by law).

If you previously used disposable vapes, compliant alternatives include prefilled pod systems (rechargeable base with replaceable pods) and refillable pod systems (rechargeable base with refillable pods). Both are legal and widely available from licensed retailers.

Device Safety Requirements

Mandatory safety features

Effective: 1 October 2024

Child-safety activation: All devices must require either two simultaneous actions or five sequential actions to activate. This prevents accidental activation, particularly by children.

Auto-shutoff: Devices must automatically stop producing vapour after 10 minutes of continuous inactivity.

Removable batteries: All vaping devices must have batteries that can be removed. This supports safe disposal and recycling.

These requirements apply to all devices sold in New Zealand, regardless of where they were manufactured. Any device purchased from a licensed NZ retailer will already meet these standards. If you are considering purchasing a device from an overseas retailer, be aware that it may not comply with NZ regulations.

E-Liquid Rules

Nicotine and flavour restrictions

Various dates from March 2024

Maximum nicotine strength: 28.5 mg/mL. No e-liquid sold in New Zealand may exceed this concentration.

Flavour naming: E-liquid flavour names must use approved generic descriptors. Names like "Strawberry" or "Mint" are permitted, but creative or branded descriptive names are not. This means you will see straightforward flavour names on all NZ-compliant products.

Labelling: All e-liquid must meet specific NZ labelling requirements, including nicotine content, ingredients, health warnings, and batch identification.

Advertising and Display Restrictions

What retailers can and cannot do

Effective: 17 June 2025

No advertising or promotion: It is prohibited to encourage the use, promote the sale, or notify the availability of vaping products. This applies to websites, social media, email, and any other channel.

No promotional activities: Retailers cannot offer discounts, free samples, loyalty programmes, or competitions tied to purchases of vaping products.

Display restrictions: Vaping products must not be visible from outside a specialist retailer's premises. General retailers (dairies, petrol stations, supermarkets) may not display vaping products at all. Online stores must also comply with display restrictions.

No stock notifications: Retailers cannot notify customers about new arrivals, restocks, or product availability.

What this means in practice: When you visit a vape store or website, the way products are presented is governed by these rules. Specialist vape retailers can still sell products and provide information to customers who seek it out, but they cannot actively promote or advertise. This is why NZ vape websites look different from those in countries without these restrictions.

Retail and Location Rules

Vaping products can only be sold by registered specialist vape retailers or approved online retailers. There are restrictions on where physical vape stores can be located, particularly in relation to schools and other sensitive areas. These location restrictions came into force on 18 December 2024.

The penalties for selling vaping products to anyone under 18 have increased significantly. The maximum fine is now $100,000 for a body corporate and $10,000 for an individual. Age verification is mandatory for all sales, both in-store and online.

What These Regulations Mean for You as a Vaper

If you are an adult vaper in New Zealand, the practical impact of these regulations is relatively straightforward. You can still purchase vaping products from licensed retailers. All products available in NZ stores and compliant online retailers meet current safety and quality standards. You have access to a range of rechargeable devices and e-liquids up to 28.5 mg/mL.

The main changes you will notice are: disposable devices are no longer available, product packaging and naming is more standardised, and the way retailers present and promote products is more restricted. The quality and safety standards of available products have generally improved as a result of the regulations.

Where to Find Official Information

The regulations are administered by the Ministry of Health. For the most current official guidance, visit the Ministry of Health website under the "Vaping, herbal smoking and smokeless tobacco" section. If you have specific compliance questions as a retailer, the Ministry provides regulatory guidelines for retailers of vaping and other notifiable products.

Vapourium maintains a comprehensive regulations page that is updated when changes occur. We are a licensed specialist retailer and all products we sell comply with current NZ regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vaping legal in New Zealand?

Yes. Vaping is legal for people aged 18 and over. What is regulated is the types of devices that can be sold (no disposables), the strength of nicotine in e-liquids (maximum 28.5 mg/mL), how products are displayed and advertised, and where retail stores can be located. The act of vaping itself is not illegal.

Can I buy vapes online in NZ?

Yes, from registered online retailers that comply with age verification requirements and all other regulations. All products sold by compliant NZ online retailers meet current safety and quality standards.

What happens if I bring a disposable vape into NZ from overseas?

The ban applies to the manufacture, distribution, sale, and supply of disposable vapes within New Zealand. Personal importation rules may differ. For the most current advice on personal importation, check with NZ Customs.

Why can I not see product photos on NZ vape websites?

NZ regulations restrict how vaping products can be displayed and promoted online. Retailers must comply with advertising and display restrictions, which limit the way products can be visually presented on websites. This is why NZ vape websites may look different from those in other countries.

Are nicotine-free e-liquids also regulated?

Yes. The regulations apply to all vaping products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. Device safety standards, display restrictions, and retail requirements apply equally to nicotine-free products.

What is the maximum nicotine strength allowed in NZ?

The maximum permitted nicotine concentration is 28.5 mg/mL (approximately 2.85%). This applies to all e-liquids sold in New Zealand, including both nicotine salt and freebase formulations.

Can I vape in public places in NZ?

Vaping is prohibited in certain indoor public spaces and workplaces under the Smokefree Environments Act, similar to smoking restrictions. Many public venues, restaurants, and transport services have their own policies on vaping. Check signage at the specific venue or ask if you are unsure.