Ministry of Health figures obtained by the Herald show that at least a quarter of New Zealand's schools (894) have vaping shops within 1km, and at least 77 schools are just 250 metres away.

The Asthma And Respiratory Foundation, which surveyed more than 19,000 students in grades 9 to 13, estimates that one in five middle school students experience vaping pain.

It comes after the government announced that people under the age of 14 would not be able to legally buy tobacco as New Zealand's 2025 smoke-free target looms.

Doctors have warned that the dangers of e-cigarettes to young people cannot be ignored, and one doctor said that vaping nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can cause tumors and suggest that it can increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

"The effects appear to be long-term and there are a lot of unknowns. Any damage to lung tissue ultimately reduces people's ability to work, live and exercise," says John Bonning, a Waika emergency physician.

Professor Philip Pattemore, Paediatric Respiratory Physician, said: "E-cigarettes containing nicotine have been linked to depression, hyperactivity and behavioural disorders in adolescents, and nicotine exposure has been shown to affect learning and memory.

Principals are also concerned about the impact of e-cigarettes on students.

"School-wise, we're dealing with vaping on campus every week," said Rangitoto High School vice-principal Peter Morton.

A survey by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation found that 80 percent of students with a smoking habit had high levels of nicotine in their e-cigarettes; only 2.8 percent had no nicotine in their e-cigarettes.

Kahu Pihema vaped for the first time at the age of 14, and she saw no harm. Now 16 years old, she has a tumor.

She, who suffers from asthma, said after asking her mother's consent: "I didn't realize I had a tumor until I tried to quit and got so sick that I couldn't go to school. After a month of trying , I sucked again.

The latest figures show there are 562 specialist vaping shops in New Zealand, and this does not include grocery stores and supermarkets that also sell vaping products.

The Herald analysis found that these stores tended to be located near schools with lower decile scores. There are 120 stores near schools with a decile 1, and 66 stores near a school with a decile 10.

There are six stores within 1 km of Hamilton Girls High School, five near Takapuna Primary School and three near Pacific Advance Secondary School in otahuhu.

"(E-cigarette shops) look interesting, have nice names, and are colorful," said Letitia Harding, chief executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation. "

When the Herald raised the concerns with the government, Deputy Minister Carmel Sepulon said any reports of children vaping were "absolutely concerning" and they were taking action to address the issue.

"Efforts to stop young people from vaping are ongoing. The Ministry of Health expects to launch a new health promotion programme in March 2022 with the goal of getting young people to decide not to vape," Sepuloni said.

However, Sepuloni said she was not entirely satisfied with the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's investigation. She said the survey did not figure out how many young people were vaping, citing the results of the 2019/20 New Zealand Health Survey, which found that about 5.8 per cent of young people surveyed (15 to 17 years old) vaped daily.

Jane Chambers, manager of the Department of Health's population health and prevention group, said concerns were expressed about the sale of vaping products near schools as Congress passed the 2020 Smoke-Free Environments (E-Cigarette) Amendment Act.

"However, the (special) committee did not recommend a ban on the sale of vaping products near schools. We know that most young people get vaping from friends and family, just as they get cigarettes," Chambers said.

It took 620 days for the legislation to pass in November 2018, after then-Deputy Health Minister Jenny Salesa pledged to regulate the industry. It banned the sale of vaping products to people under 18, restricted the sale of e-cigarettes in all flavors, and made it illegal to use e-cigarettes in cars with children.

She added that Hygiene is not aware of any "strong evidence of a significant problem with the illegal sale of vaping products to minors in grocery stores".

"Anyone who is aware of a retailer selling vaping products to minors should complain to the local public health department that employs smoke-free law enforcement officers."

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