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Tobacco retailers caught selling smokes to kids

Twenty percent of surveyed tobacco outlets in Latrobe City were caught selling tobacco to young people aged between fourteen and sixteen

By Latrobe City Council - 16th May 2001 - Back to News

Twenty percent of surveyed tobacco outlets in Latrobe City were caught selling tobacco to young people aged between fourteen and sixteen in a recent survey conducted by Latrobe City’s Health Services Unit.

Latrobe City’s Health Services Unit Leader, Andrew Mackintosh, said the survey of twenty-five premises conducted in late April, was undertaken with the of assistance of children aged 14-16 years with the permission of their parents. The outlets visited included convenience stores, milk bars, takeaway food stores, hairdressers, newsagents and other tobacco outlets.

"Of the twenty-five premises visited by the minors seeking to purchase cigarettes, five failed to ask the children for their age identification," Mr Mackintosh revealed.

"While it seems that one fifth of outlets are prepared to flout the law, we were to some extent pleased that the number had fallen from 64% revealed in a survey conducted by us in 1998, to the 20% recorded in this instance.

"Retailers or their staff who are found guilty of selling tobacco products to a person under the age of eighteen, risk an on the spot fine of $200. In some circumstances, enforcement officers may decide that rather than issuing an on the spot fine, the matter should be heard in a Magistrate’s Court. If the case does go to the Magistrate’s Court, and if found guilty, the retailer can be suspended from being permitted to sell tobacco for up to three months, and a fine of $5000 may be incurred. For second and third offences there are much harsher penalties, and a five year suspension can be given," Mr Mackintosh said.

"In this case, the tobacco retailers that failed to meet the requirements of the Tobacco Act will be issued with warnings and will be followed up subsequently. They are on notice that they well and truly need to lift their game or pay the penalty," Mr Mackintosh concluded.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said that it was alarming that despite clear legislation, so many tobacco retailers still failed the test.

"The harmful health affects of smoking and tobacco smoke, and smoking related issues are in the news just about every day. One of the key strategies in improving the nation’s health is to reduce the level of smoking in the community, by breaking the cycle where young people can get hooked on tobacco products at an early age. State legislation to restrict the sale of tobacco products to adults, 18years and older is very well known to retailers and well publicised," Cr Jenkins said.

"On this occasion the offending retailers are being warned, but I want to make it clear that the health of Latrobe’s young people is of prime concern to Council. As the responsible local authority for ensuring the requirements of the Tobacco Act are complied with, we are determined to prosecute those who sell cigarettes to young people in the future, and compromise their health," Cr Jenkins concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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