Cook Islands Health Department Approves 37 Tobacco Sales Applications

According to Islands Business on July 23, Te Marae Ora, the Cook Islands Ministry of Health, has approved 37 out of 43 applications to sell tobacco products. These successful applicants will be able to start selling tobacco products from August 1, 2024, under the new Tobacco Control Amendment Act 2024.

Health Minister Bob Williams stated that there are still six applications pending approval, requiring further information to be provided.

The bill stipulates that those wishing to sell tobacco must apply for a tobacco import and distribution license. The legal age for the sale of tobacco products has been raised from 18 to 21, and smoking is prohibited in all public places, except for a few unenclosed spaces not subject to the ban.

In addition, the bill also prohibits the manufacturing, importing, selling, distributing, and advertising of imitation tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, in the Cook Islands. From the date of enactment, individuals residing in the Cook Islands within the past six months are prohibited from importing imitation tobacco products.

The bill was passed in parliament in May of this year, originally slated to take effect on July 1st. However, in order to give businesses more time to sell their existing e-cigarette inventory, the implementation date has been extended.

All approved applications will be issued tobacco sales licenses starting from August 1, including companies that import tobacco products and submit tobacco testing reports.

This also means that residents living in the Cook Islands for the past six months will not be allowed to import, sell, or distribute imitation tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes.

In the past six months, individuals living outside of the Cook Islands and continuing to reside outside of the island are only allowed to bring in one device and a maximum of 30 milliliters of e-liquid for personal use. They are not permitted to sell or distribute, and can only use it for themselves.

Williams added that all companies or vendors selling e-cigarettes, including those without a tobacco sales license, are required to cease sales starting from August 1st.

The policy of the bill includes:

The Cook Islands have implemented strict regulations on the manufacturing, importing, selling, distributing, and advertising of imitation tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, as well as the manufacturing of tobacco products. Violators will face fines of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars or imprisonment for up to three months. Importers, distributors, and sellers of tobacco products must hold valid licenses and adhere to all license conditions in order to distribute or sell products. Sale of tobacco products online is prohibited, except for business-to-business sales between importers and distributors. Violators will face fines of up to 10,000 New Zealand dollars or imprisonment for up to three months, or fines of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars with an additional 10,000 New Zealand dollars per day for each violation. Retailers of tobacco products are not allowed to display the products for sale, and violators will face fines of up to 1,000 New Zealand dollars or one month of imprisonment, or fines of up to 10,000 New Zealand dollars with an additional 1,000 New Zealand dollars per day for each continued violation. The legal age for tobacco sales is 21. The use of tobacco products and imitation tobacco is prohibited in all public places, including bars, restaurants, workplaces, public transportation, and educational institutions, except for designated outdoor areas.