Safety Features, Protocol, and Tips for Vapes

Safety has been a core area of discussion ever since vapes were introduced in the mid-2000s as a "safer" alternative to traditional smoking. Since vaping doesn't burn tobacco to extract nicotine, the inhaled aerosol doesn't include all the other harmful chemicals produced when burning tobacco. Despite this, since nicotine is still present, safety remains an area of concern.

Vapes have come a long way from their raw, unregulated versions of more than a decade ago. Today's products go through an extensive evaluation process to determine compliance with existing laws and regulations, and New Zealand is no exception. Vape products the New Zealand Ministry of Health approves for circulation are built around multi-layered safety protocols and requirements.

Battery Safety: The Biggest Risk

Around 2010, when vapes (commonly called e-cigarettes back then) were in their early stages with little to no compliance standards, they became subject to a lot of criticism, not because of nicotine content but due to incidents of batteries exploding. Vapes use lithium-ion batteries, the same type used in most mobile phones and electronic devices today.

Investigations show these incidents were caused by one or a combination of several factors:

• User factor. Some incidents were linked to user error, such as using the vape while it's charging, water and physical damage, and unauthorised modifications.
• Poor product quality. Many vape products back then were cheap knockoffs that hadn't passed international quality standard inspections. Reports show these substandard products had poor circuit quality, poor thermal management, and poor battery quality.
• Substandard e-liquids. Many incidents were also linked to substandard e-liquids, which can cause catastrophic failures even in otherwise quality devices.

Today, incidents involving vape batteries exploding have significantly lessened, thanks to regulations that make the batteries used in vapes a lot safer. Here are some of these requirements:

• Overcharge protection. Vapes now have a dedicated chip in their circuitry that monitors battery charging. As soon as it detects the battery is full, it automatically stops the charging process even if the device is still plugged in. This protects the battery and prolongs its life.
• Short circuit protection. Like most modern electronic devices, vapes now also have short circuit protection mechanisms.
• Overdischarge, or low-voltage, protection. This is the opposite of overcharge protection. Devices automatically shut down when they detect the battery is almost empty, since using a battery at very low voltage can risk a short circuit.
• Thermal protection. Sensors constantly monitor device temperature and shut the system down if it becomes too hot.
• Timers and sleep mode. Compliant devices have timers that turn the device on and off with a long press, preventing misfires when stored in a bag or pocket. They also have a sleep mode that automatically turns the device off after a set period of inactivity.
• Sealed construction. Compliant products are generally sealed and airtight to prevent unauthorised modification of the internal components. Whether the battery itself can be removed varies by device and manufacturer. New Zealand previously required all vaping devices to have a removable battery, but this requirement was revoked by the Government in July 2025, effective from 1 September 2025, so it's no longer mandated either way.
• Processing chipset. Modern compliant products have a processor that acts like a mini-computer regulating the device.

New Zealand Regulations

Alongside the general industry standards above, New Zealand has specific regulations in place to make sure all vape products are safe.

• Child lock features. All vape products sold in New Zealand must have a child safety mechanism requiring either two simultaneous actions or five sequential actions to activate the device, and this mechanism must not be able to be overridden or permanently disabled by the user.
• Nicotine concentration limits. Nicotine concentration is capped at 28.5mg/mL, applying to both freebase and nicotine salt e-liquids. This limit must also be clearly indicated on product labels for consumer information.
• Product notification. All vape products must be notified to the Ministry of Health for inspection and certification before they can be sold commercially.
• Traceability. All vape products must have a serial number so they can be easily traced if safety concerns arise.
• No cartoon or toy-like imagery. Vape products should not be visually appealing, particularly to children.
• Disposable vape ban. Since June 2025, all forms of disposable vape have been banned in New Zealand, promoting the use of more durable, rechargeable products.

Basic Safety Tips for Users

All regulatory and safety protocols are only useful if users also do their part in practising safe use. Here are some tips for using vape products safely.

• Use the dedicated charger that comes with the product. Third-party chargers, especially substandard ones, can compromise your device's safety. Phone or tablet chargers aren't recommended, since they have a different power output than what the vape product requires.
• Don't charge overnight. Overnight charging is discouraged, as it exposes the device to power surges and overcharging for longer than necessary.
• Check for damage before use. Using a damaged product is risky. Stop using a device if it's swollen (often a sign of battery issues), dented, or damaged by water.
• Avoid extreme heat. Avoid using the product near sources of extreme heat like fire or ovens, and avoid storing it somewhere too hot. If a device feels like it's heating up too much, replace it immediately.
• Don't modify vape products. Opening the device's protective case or replacing the built-in battery is prohibited. It risks damaging the device, and using unauthorised replacement batteries is risky.
• Buy only from authorised retailers. This ensures the products you use meet regulatory and safety standards.
• Keep away from children. Store vape products out of children's reach.

The Takeaway

Prevention is better than cure. The overall safety of vape products comes down to a combination of manufacturing standards, government regulation, and user responsibility. When businesses, governments, and people work together, safety and public health both benefit.

This article is for general educational purposes only and does not promote vaping or any specific product. Vaping products are restricted to adults 18+ under New Zealand's Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act.