Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Search

NZ school principal says student vaping has eased markedly from the post-pandemic peak

Sep.11.2025
NZ school principal says student vaping has eased markedly from the post-pandemic peak
Daryl Gibbs, principal of Cambridge Middle School and president of the New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools, says student vaping has fallen noticeably over the past two years after a sharp post-COVID surge. At the peak, schools deployed measures such as vape monitors and coordinated responses among principals; today his school is dealing with only a handful of repeat cases. Gibbs backs tighter access rules and stresses families’ primary role in prevention, remarks he made a

Key points

 

  • Trend shift: After a sharp rise post-COVID, most intermediate and middle schools report declines over the past two years.
  • On-campus response: At the peak, a vape monitoring device was installed; circa 2023, principals coordinated a joint response.
  • Current scale: This year the school is dealing with only about three to four students, all repeat offenders.
  • Responsibility & law: Gibbs says families bear primary responsibility and supports tighter rules on availability, product types, and retailer proximity to schools.
  • Context: Comments were made to The News after the Cambridge Friendly Forum hosted by Taupō MP Louise Upston.

 

 

2Firsts, September 11, 2025 — According to The News, Daryl Gibbs, principal of Cambridge Middle School and president of the New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools, said that while student vaping surged after COVID-19, most schools have seen a clear drop over the past two years.

 

Gibbs recalled that at the height of the problem the school installed a vape monitor in one of the toilet blocks and, around 2023, worked with other principals to find solutions. He noted two possibilities for today’s situation: “Either students are getting better at hiding it, or there is genuinely less vaping.” This year, the school has dealt with only about three to four students, all of whom are repeat offenders.

 

On policy and prevention, Gibbs agreed with MP Louise Upston that families have the primary responsibility for restricting youth vaping. He also backed Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley’s call to tighten legislation on product availability, device types, and retailer distance from schools.

References:
[1] School vaping cases decline
Also Read:
[1] New Zealand medical research: E-cigarettes have become a normalized tool among Māori youth, and scholars are calling for restrictions on device design

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Glas, the FDA, and the Future of Flavored ENDS
Glas, the FDA, and the Future of Flavored ENDS
China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact
China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact
Malaysia maritime officers seize nearly 16,500 vapes in suspected cross-border smuggling bid
Malaysia maritime officers seize nearly 16,500 vapes in suspected cross-border smuggling bid
According to Malay Mail and Bernama, Malaysia’s maritime enforcement agency intercepted a suspicious lorry at a jetty in Kedah’s Kuala Sanglang and seized nearly 16,500 vape devices worth more than RM500,000 (about US$125,000). Three men were detained for investigation, and the case is being probed under Malaysia’s Customs Act 1967.
Mar.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
A March 2026 article in Finance & Development, “Taxing Harmful Habits,” argues that taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks should better reflect the health harm they cause. The authors propose three principles: capture all harmful products, align tax rates with health harm, and strengthen cross-border coordination to reduce evasion and smuggling.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Lawmaker Says Bill on Full Vape Sales Ban Is Before State Duma
Russian Lawmaker Says Bill on Full Vape Sales Ban Is Before State Duma
Yaroslav Nilov, chair of the State Duma Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Veterans’ Affairs, said a bill proposing a full ban on vape sales is currently before the State Duma, though no final decision has yet been made. He said the initiative has been signed by representatives of almost all factions and noted that support for a full ban has also been voiced at the regional governor level. Nilov also said vape use in Russia is increasing while the age of consumers is declining.
Mar.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report｜Reynolds’ 337 Patent Case Ends, but a Harsher 337 Compliance Battle Now Targets the Entire Vape Supply Chain
Special Report｜Reynolds’ 337 Patent Case Ends, but a Harsher 337 Compliance Battle Now Targets the Entire Vape Supply Chain
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has terminated Investigation 337-TA-1410 after invalidating key vape patent claims asserted by R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, removing the immediate risk of import bans for dozens of companies. However, a new case—337-TA-1486—has already opened a more consequential legal front, shifting the focus from patent disputes to regulatory compliance across the vape supply chain, including PACT Act reporting, tax compliance, and FDA marketing authorization.
BAT
Mar.11
Panama Seeks Unified Regulation on E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products, Including Use Restrictions in Public and Private Spaces
Panama Seeks Unified Regulation on E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products, Including Use Restrictions in Public and Private Spaces
Panamanian authorities are seeking to establish a single regulatory framework aimed at prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes, vaporizers and heated tobacco products in public and private spaces, as well as restricting their advertising and promotion.
Mar.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI U.S. to Invest About USD 50 Million in New Business Solutions Center in Tampa
PMI U.S. to Invest About USD 50 Million in New Business Solutions Center in Tampa
On March 17, PMI U.S. announced an investment of about USD 50 million in a new Business Solutions Center in Tampa, Florida. The center is expected to create about 180 direct and indirect high-skilled jobs and will consolidate business solutions, distribution operations and customer service into one hub.
Mar.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Related Topics
News Regulation
Related Read
Malaysia maritime officers seize nearly 16,500 vapes in suspected cross-border smuggling bid
Malaysia maritime officers seize nearly 16,500 vapes in suspected cross-border smuggling bid
2FIRSTS.ai
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
2FIRSTS.ai
Russian Lawmaker Says Bill on Full Vape Sales Ban Is Before State Duma
Russian Lawmaker Says Bill on Full Vape Sales Ban Is Before State Duma
2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report｜Reynolds’ 337 Patent Case Ends, but a Harsher 337 Compliance Battle Now Targets the Entire Vape Supply Chain
Special Report｜Reynolds’ 337 Patent Case Ends, but a Harsher 337 Compliance Battle Now Targets the Entire Vape Supply Chain
Panama Seeks Unified Regulation on E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products, Including Use Restrictions in Public and Private Spaces
Panama Seeks Unified Regulation on E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products, Including Use Restrictions in Public and Private Spaces
2FIRSTS.ai
PMI U.S. to Invest About USD 50 Million in New Business Solutions Center in Tampa
PMI U.S. to Invest About USD 50 Million in New Business Solutions Center in Tampa
2FIRSTS.ai
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Contact: info@2firsts.com
Stay up to date.
Submit your email to receive weekly newsletter on the most relevant news of the e-cigarette industry.
© 2026 2FIRSTS. All Right Reserved.
2FIRSTS is only accessible to industry practitioners, researchers, media and other professionals. Access by minors is prohibited.
This website provides services to users outside the Chinese mainland.
English
English
中文