Two retailers warned after selling tobacco products to underage teenagers in Palmerston North

21/01/2010 | Underage Tobacco Sales

Two out of 38 retailers sold two under 18-year-olds tobacco products in a Palmerston North survey of retailers before Christmas.

It is illegal to sell tobacco and herbal smoking products to people under 18 years of age.  Recent studies in New Zealand have reported young people saying they can easily buy cigarettes from tobacco retailers such as dairies and service stations.

In mid-December 2009, MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service carried out a survey of 38 retailers in the Palmerston North area.

Public Health Services manager Robert Holdaway said: “While it was pleasing to note that 36 retailers refused to sell to the underage youths, two did sell tobacco products, one to a 14-year-old, and the other to a 15-year-old. The most disappointing thing about both these sales was that neither were asked for ID or queried about their age. Both retailers were located very close to schools.

Dr Holdaway said: “The two retailers who sold tobacco products to the young people have received formal warnings and will be visited by enforcement officers. Evidence of these sales has been recorded and any further breaches of the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 by these retailers will likely result in prosecution.

“Smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and premature death in New Zealand. It is estimated that half of all long-term smokers die of a smoking-related illness.

“Approximately 24 percent of young people between 15-19 years of age are smokers.  Preventing easy access to cigarettes is one strategy which helps to reduce smoking uptake among young people. It is important that tobacco retailers are vigilant as they play a key role in reducing access to tobacco products for youth in our community.

“While controlled purchase operations have been undertaken in the past, they have tended to be sporadic."

The recent survey marks the commencement of an enhanced and sustained surveillance programme aimed at increasing retailer awareness, knowledge and compliance with the legislation. The programme will operate across the Manawatu and Whanganui regions.

The maximum penalty for those beaching the legislation is a fine of $2000. Retailers who repeatedly sell cigarettes to young people can be prohibited from selling tobacco for periods of up to three months.

Dr Holdaway says: “The public can assist with this process by contacting our office (telephone (06) 350-9110) to report alleged sales to young people. We will follow up these reports to ensure that the premises concerned are included in our education and surveillance programme.”

CONTACT: Communications Unit: (06) 350-8945.