The Wire with Caeden

A recent Vaping in New Zealand Youth Survey reveals that the vaping rates from school years 9-13 have dropped significantly to 12 percent - down from 27 percent in 2021.

Despite this, vaping has increased amongst older students, pointing to an ineffective and outdated system of education against vaping. The government's gradual implementation of a child-safety mechanism and lowering the nicotine strength indicates a serious problem which needs to be addressed.

Sasha spoke to Letitia Harding, CEO of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ about the survey findings and strategies to reduce harm.

American singer, Katy Perry, recently had a court win in a long-running trademark dispute with Australian fashion designer, Katie Perry. The singer successfully appealed a 2023 Federal Court decision, resulting in the fashion designer having her trademark cancelled, and being ordered to pay costs.

Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Law, Rob Batty, about what gave rise to the case, how trademark law was applied, and what the recent decision might mean for smaller names.

The Getting to Smokefree 2025 Plan, launched last week by Associate Minister of Health, Casey Costello, is predicted by academics, and Health Coalition Aotearoa, to fail. Concerns have risen regarding the plan's focus, as many of the previous governments successful population-based strategies appear to be excluded.

Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, George Laking, about what the Smokefree 2025 plan is, who it is expected to fail, and where the focus should be to make the plan more effective.

Last week the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 was released. 

The report delved into the lessons learnt during the pandemic, featuring 39 primary recommendations within the 713 page report. 

These recommendations explored a number of social, economic and health impacts of the pandemic, how the government responded and how the country could be better prepared for future pandemics. 

The report explores the good and not so good moves by the government, and how they could have been more efficient in their response.  

However, research fellow at the University of Auckland’s Liggins Institute, Dr Anna Brooks says that the report fails to consider the long term impacts of Covid-19 that continue to affect many New Zealanders today. 

Producer Evie spoke to Dr Brooks about these concerns, and how realistic it is that the recommendations will actually be implemented.