Tobacco retailers get message

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NOT a single one of 40 retailers sold tobacco to underage buyers during Hauora Tairawhiti’s latest tobacco "sting".

“This is a positive result considering where we were at in January,” said Hauora Tairawhiti Chief Executive Jim Green of the “controlled purchase operation”.

“A similar operation at the beginning of the year resulted in eight retailers, out of 22 approached, selling tobacco to youth volunteers.

“That was our worst result ever and really concerning considering our commitment to a Smokefree New Zealand in 2025.

“Since January there was some publicity around the poor result and a workshop held with retailers to ensure they were aware of the law, the consequences of breaking it and why it is important not to sell tobacco to young people.”

Hauora Tairawhiti Medical Officer of Health Dr Margot McLean said the message had got through.

“Although our youth smoking rates are declining, Tairawhiti still has one of the highest rates in the country," Dr McLean said.

“Responsible retailers play a vital role by making it harder for our young people to buy cigarettes. This will help reduce smoking in our district.

“We are grateful to the retailers for responding so decisively to the call to improve their processes and to the staff at the retailers who put their lessons into action.”

Controlled purchase operations are carried out twice a year.

All District Health Boards run tobacco controlled purchase operations regularly, using non-smoking volunteers aged 14 to 17, who attempt to buy tobacco from shops under the supervision of a smokefree officer.

The Smoke-Free Environments Act prohibits the sale of tobacco to anyone under 18.

Hauora Tairawhiti and the New Zealand government are committed to a goal of New Zealand becoming smoke-free by 2025.

Further information and free resources on the Smoke-Free Environments Act can be obtained from the population health team at Hauora Tairawhiti’s Community Health Centre, 110 Peel Street.

People wanting help to quit smoking should visit the new online and face-to-face smoking cessation service at www.onceandforall.co.nz or phone the Quitline on 0800 778 778.