Vape retailers in NZ respond to restrictions with 'stores within stores'

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-02-13 00:01

New Zealand

PHOTO: Samuel Ramos/Unsplash

Researchers looked at the new phenomenon of 'store-within a-store' vape retailers following changes to vaping regulations in 2020. Specialised vape retailers, which are the only ones now allowed to sell the full range of vape flavours, have started to pop up inside or next to dairies, petrol stations, and liquor stores. Looking at 14 Auckland suburbs, the research team found that around 44% of these specialist vape sellers are 'stores-within-a-store', and these smaller stores were much more likely to be found in suburbs with higher socio-economic deprivation and large populations of Māori and Pacific people. They say these findings suggest policymakers should make it a priority to address this new and unintended kind of retailer, as they may undermine efforts to curb vape exposure among youth.

News release

From: New Zealand Medical Journal

This paper examines the attributes and location of registered specialist vape retailers (SVRs), focussing on “store-within-a-store” (SWAS) outlets, which have emerged among convenience stores, petrol stations and some liquor stores as a response to these regulations. Our paper uses a Google Maps and Street View scoping methodology to assess SVR distance from sensitive locations (educational institutes and marae), as well as grouping vape stores by type (upmarket, budget, SWAS). We apply this scoping methodology across a wide range of Auckland suburbs with different socio-economic and demographic attributes to consider differences in vape retail environment. Our results show that SWAS retail is concentrated in suburbs with higher levels of socio-economic deprivation and in residential areas as opposed to commercial centres. These attributes may mean this type of retail plays a considerable role in undermining efforts to curb vape product exposure among youth, particularly in areas already facing greater health inequities.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: Massey University, University of Otago, AUT University, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora

Funder: This study was funded by a grant from Health Research Council New Zealand (grant number: HRC22/245). JB has received consulting fees from the Ministry of Social Development, The University of Auckland and the Government of South Australia. JB is secretary of the Public Health Association, Wellington branch, and a member of the Smokefree Expert Advisory Group, Health Coalition Aotearoa. JH has received: ITC programme advisory fees; funding from the Japan Tobacco Society to present to the 2022 conference; small gifts (e.g., book vouchers) for speaking at conferences; funding from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand to present to a conference in 2023 (Singapore) and 2025 (Adelaide); funding from La Fondation Contre le Cancer to present in Brussels, 2025; and funding from UniSante to present in Lausanne, 2025. JH has had travel and accommodation paid to attend the IASLC meeting in Singapore 2023. JH is a co-director of ASPIRE Aotearoa; a member of the Health Coalition Aoteaora Smokefree Expert Advisory group and various Australian health advisory groups; a senior editor, Tobacco Control; a co-opted member of the Public Health Advisory Committee, Health Research Council; and a member of the Ministry of Health Smokefree Advisory Committee.

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