Dairy proud to be smoke-free

SMOKE-FREE DAIRY: VIP Takeaway owner Sheryl Stankovich being presented with a Smoke-free Retailers Award by Asthma and Respiratory Foundation nurse educator Erica Fife and Henry Anderson, coordinator for Te Oranga Tumaia sports academy.

Relevant offers

Northland

Power restored north of Whangarei Falls water leaves rash Thundercats silenced by calm seas Angel Flight heaven-sent Cameras capture garden vandals at work Old bones take shape Field days organisers expect record turnout Young poet says it all Shirley takes home trophy Weather sees farmers holding stock

It’s just over a year since Sheryl Stankovich and partner Ham Petera decided to stop selling cigarettes at their Kaitaia dairy.

And even though it has made a dent in their bottom line and they’ve had a few disgruntled customers who see it as a negative, Sheryl and Ham feel just the opposite and see only the positives.

"The only ones getting richer are the tobacco companies," says Sheryl.

Their shop, VIP Takeaways, located on South Rd, is the third retailer in the country – and one of only two in Northland – to take up the challenge towards a smoke-free society.

A Smoke-free Retailers Award was presented to them by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation last week.

More than 8000 dairies, convenience stores, service stations and supermarkets in New Zealand sell tobacco products. The displays are usually located immediately behind the sales counter, in full view of thousands of children, smokers and former smokers.

"My hat goes off to Sheryl and Ham for taking a really positive stance to reduce Northland’s smoking rates," says foundation executive director Jane Patterson.

Henry Anderson, formerly a health promotions coordinator for Maori health provider Te Hauora o Te iku o Te Ika says he approached several other businesses to take on the challenge but they declined.

"Maori tip the scales in the wrong way when it comes to health and here is a Maori business person who is saying we are not going to have it any more.

"Most businesses want to sell everything they can to make money. I admire Sheryl and Ham big time for taking up the challenge," says Mr Anderson.

Mrs Stankovich says she didn’t like the way cigarette advertising was brightly coloured and similar to that of ice cream ads in an attempt to appeal to younger people.

Rather than selling products she doesn’t believe in, the change has enabled her and her partner to diversify and come up with other ideas.

"It’s not about taking away the bread and butter, it’s about finding another spread to go on the top and thinking outside the square," says Sheryl.

They gutted the dairy to create a space for a roadhouse diner where visitors can enjoy a nice meal and fresh seafood. They also have a dedicated room for internet access and have more ideas in the pipeline.

- © Fairfax NZ News