Retailers selling tobacco to minors

Retailers who sell to those under age may be publicly named.

Despite health officials working closely with tobacco retailers, two under age volunteers have been sold the product in a recent operation.

The controlled purchase operation was conducted by MidCentral Health smokefree enforcement officers who caught two retailers selling cigarettes to an underage volunteer.

There has been a total of four sales this year, compared to just one in the same period last year.

Smoke-free enforcement officer Neil Adams says it was disappointing to see the sales had increased.

Health officials supply retailers with information on how to comply with the Smoke-free Environments Act which forbids selling to anyone under the age of 18.

More than 20 infringement notices have been issued to local stores in the Manawatu and Wanganui region since 2012.

These were for $500 while the latest two notices include a maximum penalty of $1000.

The Wellington region has also seen an increase in these sales prompting medical officer of health Stephen Palmer to ask for additional resources supporting compliance.

"It is extremely disappointing tobacco retailers continue to sell to under age people. Furthermore, the best way forward would be to introduce licences for tobacco retailers."

He said licensing would reduce the total number of retailers and allow the removal of cigarettes from those who repeatedly sold tobacco to minors.

Those caught in the latest operation have been put on "notice" and told they will be publicly named if they continue to sell to those under age.

MidCentral co-ordinator health regulation Tui Shadbolt said smoking was a significant health issue for young people.

"The sale of tobacco in our communities is a growing concern. Preventing the uptake of smoking by minors is an important focus in achieving a smokefree Aotearoa by 2025."