Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health has approved 37 out of the 43 applications received for selling tobacco in the Cook Islands.

The successful applicant can start selling tobacco from August 1, 2024, under the new Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2024.

Secretary for Health Bob Williams says six of these applications are pending approval for further information.

The Act includes a requirement that those who want to sell tobacco will have to apply for permits to import and distribute tobacco. The legal age of sale for tobacco products has increased from 18 to 21 years, and smoking in all public places will be prohibited with some limited exceptions where unenclosed spaces are not subject to the prohibition.

It also bans the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and advertising of imitation tobacco products, including vapes/e-cigarettes, in the Cook Islands. It prohibits the import of imitation tobacco products by anyone who has been living in the Cook Islands for the past six months, since the enactment of the bill.

The Act was passed in Parliament in May this year and was planned to commence on July 1.

However, it was extended to give business more time to sell off their existing vape stock or e-cigarettes.

Williams said: “All approved applications will be issued a licence to sell tobacco from 1 August including businesses who imports tobacco products and who have submitted a tobacco testing report.”

“This also means that Cook Islands residents who have lived in the Cook Islands for the last six months will not be allowed to import, sell or distribute imitation tobacco products such as vape.

“Those living outside of the Cook Islands for the last six months and continue to live outside of the Cook Islands can only bring in one device and up to 30 millilitre liquid for personal use.

“They are not allowed to sell or distribute, it is for their own personal use.”

Williams added that businesses or vendors selling vape will have to cease from August 1 including those who do not have a licence to sell tobacco products.

The Act’s policy includes:

-       The manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and advertising of imitation tobacco products like e-cigarettes is prohibited in the Cook Islands.

-       Manufacture of tobacco products is prohibited. Any breach will be a fine of $100, 000 or imprisonment not exceeding three months.

-       Importers, distributors and sellers of tobacco products will have to hold a current licence and must comply with all licence conditions to distribute or sell products.

-       Internet sale of tobacco products is prohibited- except when used by importers and distributors for business to business sale. A person who breaches will pay a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three months or in any other case a fine not exceeding $100,000 and additional $10,000 for every day the offence continues.

-       sellers of tobacco products are not to display the product for sale, if an individual breaches they will pay a fine not exceeding $1000 or face one month imprisonment or in any other case a fine not exceeding $10,000 and to additional $1000 for every other day if the offence continues.

-       The legal age of sale of tobacco is 21.

-       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.