New Zealand Partners with Vape Company That Sued it Five Times

03/24/2026

Health New Zealand has partnered with Alt NZ Limited to supply free vape kits through 29 national stop-smoking services, distributing over 7,000 kits thus far. The NZD 500,000 ($295,000) procurement followed an open process requiring compliant closed-pod devices and refills, with strict adherence to tobacco control policies. Alt previously challenged the Ministry of Health in five court cases between 2023 and 2025 over nicotine limits, arguing its best-selling products exceeded 28.5 mg/mL and accounted for 85% of revenue. The courts largely upheld the Ministry’s regulatory changes, which lowered the maximum nicotine level from 50 mg/mL to 28.5 mg/mL.

Alt director Jonathan Devery said higher nicotine strengths are more effective in helping smokers quit, while Health NZ noted the program begins users on 28.5 mg/mL for six weeks before tapering down. All products meet legal and compliance standards, with the Ministry emphasizing that regulated levels are sufficient to support cessation.