New Zealand Vaping Regulations: What Has Changed for You and for Us at Hawke’s Bay Vapour

Since June 17th, 2025, significant government regulations have been in effect across New Zealand, changing how vaping products are sold, marketed, and displayed. These changes were introduced to reduce youth vaping, but they have also had a major impact on responsible adult vapers and on specialist retailers like us.

At Hawke’s Bay Vapour, we have always prioritised responsible service, expert advice, and a quality range of products and despite these changes, that commitment remains unchanged.

Here is a recap of what has changed and what it means for your shopping experience.

👀 No More Product Images or External Displays

As you may have noticed, product images no longer appear on our website. Under the current regulations, online retailers are prohibited from displaying images of vaping products.

Additionally, general retailers are no longer allowed to display vape gear at all. While specialist stores like ours can still display products inside the store, nothing is permitted to be visible from the street. If our online store looks a little less visual than it used to, this is strict compliance with the law in action.

🏷️ The End of Discounts, Loyalty Rewards, and Giveaways

The regulations also brought an end to loyalty programmes and promotional offers for vaping products.

Regrettably, our rewards system was discontinued in June 2025. Any unredeemed points or rewards cards expired on June 16, 2025.

While we were disappointed to lose these programmes, we remain committed to delivering value in other ways; through excellent service, expert product knowledge, and stocking one of New Zealand’s strongest vape ranges.

🚫 Disposable Vapes Have Been Phased Out

Single-use devices that cannot be recharged or refilled are no longer legal for sale in New Zealand.

If you previously used disposable vapes, the only legal way forward is to switch to a compliant refillable option.

🖤 We Are Still Here to Help

While these regulations have limited how we can connect with you visually and promotionally, they haven't stopped us from doing what we do best: offering trusted advice, high-quality gear, and a welcoming in-store experience.

If you have questions about the new landscape or need support choosing the right setup without product photos to guide you, please come in and chat with our team. You can also visit our website for our latest text-listed product range.

Thank you for continuing to support local. We are proud to be part of your journey and will keep doing everything we can to make it a good one.

Ngā mihi,

The Team at Hawke’s Bay Vapour