Ciggie sting nabs dairies

Three Invercargill dairy owners and a Mataura retailer could be prosecuted and fined up to $2000 each after being caught selling cigarettes to under-age teenagers in a Public Health South sting.

One of the teens used in the sting last month was only 14 years old.

Public Health South team leader Anne McSoriley said it targeted seven dairies and superettes using a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old volunteer.

The targeted retailers had either been complained about for selling to under-age people, were near schools, or were in areas where many people smoked.

Results of the campaign were disappointing and Mrs McSoriley said cigarette displays contributed significantly to the problem.

"Tobacco displays are quite seductive. It's so visible ... there's so much tobacco on display and it's a real temptation for young people."

Staff at only three premises refused to sell cigarettes to the volunteers, who had been advised to give their correct age when asked.

Reports on the four outlets that sold cigarettes to the volunteers would be sent to the Health Ministry, she said, and it could choose to prosecute under the Smokefree Environments Act 1990.

Until last year the Health Ministry had been doing the checks two to three times a year but the contracts were changed to allow Public Health organisations to do them.

Public Health South has been doing checks since April.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Most New Zealand smokers aged 15 to 19 started at 14.6 years of age.
• Almost 72 per cent say they would not smoke if they had their lives over again but many have difficulty stopping.
• Young smokers are especially vulnerable to the effects of nicotine.
• The Smokefree Environments Act 1990 prohibits the sale or supply of tobacco products to people younger than 18 years.
• Public Health South routinely conducts controlled purchase operations to check retail outlets are not breaking the law.
• Retailers who sold tobacco products to under-age people could be fined up to $2000 and those with two convictions for selling tobacco products to a person under 18, within a two-year period, can also be banned from selling tobacco products for up to three months. —  Source: Public Health South

- © Fairfax NZ News

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