There are currently no laws in Samoa to ban the importing of e-cigarettes (vape) into Samoa and regulate their use in the country. 

This was the response from the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Customs and Revenue, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, in response to concerns raised by the Fa'asaleleaga No. 2 M.P. Magele Sekati Fiaui in the Parliament this week

Magele had asked the Minister for Commerce, Industry, and Labour whether the product is allowed to be sold in Samoa as he has seen an increasing number of people using it.

He claimed that the product "is life-threatening" as it has been reported to be a threat to the health of the people who use it. 

"There are reports that it can cause cancer and can affect the health of people using it and I'm aware that the product falls under the category of cigarettes," said Magele. "The product contains nicotine and other chemicals in it and I'm also aware that the Ministry of Health and the Samoa Cancer Society have raised concerns about the increasing number of people vaping in Samoa. 

"So I thought I'd speak on behalf of the non-smokers to voice these concerns and ask whether we should allow these products to be sold in Samoa. 

"I understand New Zealand have come up with certain legislation pertaining to the usage and sales of vapes in their country. Some people don't even smoke but are now vaping."

In response, the Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour, Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo confirmed to the House that there is currently no law in Samoa to regulate the use and sales of e-cigarettes though they are looking into the matter. 

The Vaimauga No. 1 M.P. Sulamanaia Tuivasa Tauiliili then intervened and asked Magele to provide more details about the product as he has never heard of it. 

However, Tuala then explained that a vape is a device that is also defined as an e-cigarette and can be used as an alternative for people who don't smoke or trying to cut down on smoking. 

He said he has seen people in Samoa using vapes but there is no law to regulate its use including consumption in the country. 

"I've seen reports based on speculations about the impact of vaping on a person's life, but there is no scientific evidence to prove that it can lead to cancer or that people who vape have been diagnosed with cancer. 

"But in due time, we will provide a detailed report on the issue but so far, there's no law to ban the importation of vapes to Samoa."

As reported recently by this newspaper, the M.O.H. is concerned about the rise in the use of vapes or e-cigarettes which has become a trend amongst the youth population in Samoa.

The Ministry is also concerned that some people are bringing it into the country for online sale to the public and not for personal consumption.  

The Assistant C.E.O. of the Ministry's Tobacco Control Team, Christina Soti Ulberg said the importing of vapes and selling it online without an importer's license is illegal.

She said that 'vape' is defined to be a tobacco product according to Samoa's Tobacco Act 2008. 

"Vape is defined to be a tobacco product," she said. "That is, electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems have been incorporated into the definition of tobacco products when the act was amended in 2019.  

"There is an opportunity to further develop specific regulations to develop regulations specifically on vapes which are actually called Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems. 

"It is becoming a problem with people bringing it in illegally and selling it online (anonymously). They will have to pay an importer license of SAT$500,000 if they wish to do so. It is becoming a problem and a trend for the younger generation to use vape."

The Director General of Health, Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma, said there is now a need to revisit his Ministry's legislation as the product is quite popular today and now available in neighbouring countries. 

"Vaping wasn't an issue during the time M.O.H. developed the Tobacco Control Policy and legislation," Aiono said in an exclusive email reply. "Since it is now available in our neighbouring countries such as Australia and New Zealand, thus need to revisit our policy and the legislation in order for vaping to be specifically reflected. 

"I think our National Tobacco Control Committee is looking at this issue."