A consultation document proposes making the sale and supply of all e-cigarettes lawful in New Zealand for people aged 18 years and over.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has released the document, which also proposes preventing e-cigarettes being advertised and banning their use in smoke-free areas.

At present it is prohibited to sell and supply e-cigarettes containing nicotine. However, Mr Lotu-Iiga says people are buying them online and importing them directly for personal use.

"We also have to consider various quality and safety issues which may pose health risks to users and non-users.  Ensuring e-liquids are sold in child proof containers to prevent accidental poisoning is one obvious safety measure," Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

"E-cigarettes are relatively new and evolving products. There is scientific consensus that they are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes."

Submissions on the consultation document can be made until 5pm on 12 September 2016