Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health says all registered businesses selling tobacco products have been compliant with the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2024.

The Act that came into effect on August 1 requires those selling tobacco to apply for permits to import and distribute tobacco.

Under the new Act, the legal age of sale for tobacco products has also increased from 18 to 21 years.

Last month, Te Marae Ora approved 42 stores to sell tobacco in the Cook Islands.

When asked if licenced companies have been adhering to the Act, Secretary of Health Bob Williams said: “Yes all registered businesses have been compliant.”

The Act also prohibits the import of imitation tobacco products by anyone who has been living in the Cook Islands.

Williams said TMO was closely monitoring illegal sale of imitation tobacco, “black markets”, in the Cook Islands.

He earlier stated that health protection officers or authorised officers would be monitoring individuals who might be smoking vapes. He anticipated that after a month, it would be improbable for residents to have any imitation tobacco products, such as vapes, in their possession.

Tourists or visitors over the age of 21 are allowed to bring only one imitation tobacco device and up to 30 millilitres of e-liquid whether reusable or disposable.

Visitors or tourists, according to the Act, must carry the device and any remains of the liquid out of departure from the Cook Islands or surrender the device to TMO.

 The use of the tobacco products and imitation tobacco in all public places including bars, restaurants, workplaces, mode of transportation and educational institutions are prohibited with some limited exceptions where unenclosed spaces are not subject to the prohibition.