Works are in the pipeline to develop regulations to support the enforcement of e-cigarettes in Samoa including its sale and usage. 

Parliament's discussion on the topic last year and young people seen smoking the e-cigarette known as vape has prompted calls for the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) to take action. 

Vaping wasn’t an issue during the time the M.O.H. developed the Tobacco Control policy and legislation but its availability in neighbouring countries and the product being sold locally without control meant the Government had to revisit its legal documents. 

In those efforts, the Samoa Australia Tautua program funded by Australia has put out a vacancy for Technical Assistance assigned to develop a comprehensive set of regulations for e-cigarettes in Samoa as a means to support its enforcement and prevention of the harmful effects of its use. 

The term of reference for the Technical Assistance is to draft regulations to prohibit the importation, distribution, sale, and usage of e-cigarettes in Samoa. 

The World Health Organisation says there is a decrease in conventional cigarette smoking among youth in Samoa there is however a noticeable escalation in the regular use of evolving tobacco products in the form of electronic nicotine delivery systems or widely known as vaping since its first introduction to the markets. 

Among these trends has been a dramatic rise in electronic cigarette use by children, youth, and young adults in Samoa. 

These battery powered devices heat liquids that contain flavouring, additives and nicotine to allow users to inhale aerosol in their lungs. 

The Tobacco Control Act 2008, Tobacco Control Regulations 2013 and Tobacco Control (Fees) Regulations 2019 address obligations by Samoa under the Framework of Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC) comprehensively. 

However, the absence of specific regulations and possible amendment of current Tobacco Control Legislation to control the use of e-cigarettes in Samoa requires urgent attention from M.O.H. to take a more nuanced approach.