Vape retailers are selling higher strength vapes at lower prices - before new rules kick in.

From next Thursday, disposable vapes can't be sold, unless they have removable batteries, maximum nicotine limits, child safety features and follow new labelling requirements.

All vapes will have to meet those requirements in March - and there'll be limits on flavours.

Auckland University public health professor Chris Bullen told Tim Dower the new regulations may make it difficult for people who have been smoking heavily to switch to vapes.

He personally thinks there's scope for higher nicotine concentration vapes to be available through prescription.

LISTEN ABOVE