Retailers thanked for helping protect young people from harm
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Nelson Marlborough Health Protection Operations Manager Sonya Briggs says a Controlled Purchase Operation was conducted in the Richmond/Hope/Appleby area recently – and all retailers passed the test.
It is illegal to sell tobacco/herbal smoking products/vape products to young persons under 18 years of age.
“Eleven premises were visited on 13 October and it is very pleasing that none of the premises sold to our 16-year-old volunteer,” Sonya said.
“We are committed to reducing harm from these products in our community, and ensuring these products are not being sold to underage people is a crucial component of this.”
“Retailers have a major part to play in reducing harm, and we thank them for their vigilance.”
“The retailers have all been sent congratulatory letters,” Sonya said.
Retailers are advised to always ask anyone who looks younger than 25 years for identification when selling tobacco products. The only acceptable forms of identification are a New Zealand drivers licence, passport, or a suitable 18+ card.
All businesses selling tobacco/herbal smoking products/vape products need to be certain of their obligations under the Smoke-Free Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990, and pass on this important information to staff members.
Background information
Controlled purchase operations are supervised tests conducted by Smoke-Free Enforcement Officers using an underage volunteer to ensure tobacco retailers comply with the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.It is illegal to sell tobacco/herbal smoking products/vape products to young persons under 18 years of age.
A retailer who sells these products to underage buyers will be referred to the Ministry of Health and will be issued with infringement notices that carry $500 fines.
The Public Health Service continues to monitor retailers of these products who have sold to underage buyers and will carry out further controlled purchase operations targeting those retailers.