Three Tauranga dairies facing court

A trio of Tauranga dairies - two of them close to high schools - are facing prosecution for selling cigarettes to people under the age of 18.

First time offenders face fines of up to $1000.


Photo: File.

'It is pleasing to see that the vast majority of tobacco retailers visited are meeting their legal responsibilities and refusing to sell to children,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack.

Some 75 retailers were tested in the operation which involved sending a person under 18 in to retailers to buy tobacco. All but three checked the age of the shopper.

'I'm disappointed that there were three sales to a child, two of which were by retailers situated close to high schools,” says Phil. 'There is clearly room for improvement.

'This should serve as a caution that Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service takes this matter seriously and we run regular checks across the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts.”

The series of compliance checks were conducted in the lead up to Smokefree May, which promotes and encourages smoke-free lives.

'This year's theme, ‘It's about the whanau', reminds us of the importance of protecting children from exposure to tobacco, and this includes reducing access to tobacco products,” explains Phil.

'Prior to the operation, compliance and educational visits were made to tobacco retailers reminding them of the Smokefree Environments Act 1990, including their obligations to check identification of any person who looks under 25.

'This legislation also prohibits smoking in enclosed areas of workplaces, hospitality venues and public buildings.

'The Smokefree 2025 goal for New Zealand will become a reality if we work together.

'If we protect children from exposure to tobacco marketing and promotion, reduce the supply and demand for tobacco, and provide the best possible support for quitting, we will achieve the Smokefree Aotearoa goal.”

While the Public Health Service regularly monitors adherence to tobacco legislation, it also encourages the public to contact them if they have any concerns, says Phil.

Prosecution files are currently being completed on the three retailers who did not comply.

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7 comments

And...

Posted on 04-05-2015 12:58 | By penguin

...let's have the dairies named!


Suckers

Posted on 04-05-2015 13:24 | By YOGI BEAR

Don't know why they just don't ban the sale completely and be done with it all.


SIMPLE REALLY

Posted on 04-05-2015 20:14 | By The Caveman

Firstly, BEFORE they get to court, NAME the dairies. Secondly, the law needs to change, and retailer selling to under age buyers - FAGS or BOOZE, gets a banning order - first offence ONE year - no sale of fags or booze, SECOND offence (wither five years) FIVE YEAR ban on selling fags or booze - OH and that goes on the dairy/shop AND THE OWNER. Watch the under age sale disappear .............. over night. Without fags and booze they the dairies would be GONE - totally, totally un-ecomonic to run.......


Best deterrent

Posted on 05-05-2015 11:56 | By Kaimai

Name the shops and if people boycott said shops until the cigarettes are removed from the sale the message will be loud and clear - will beat a fine any day.


cigarettes

Posted on 05-05-2015 12:43 | By Tyraone

completely ban sales altogether. as far as I am concerned put the price up to $50.00 or more a packet hopefully it will make more give up and less temptation to start


And....

Posted on 05-05-2015 14:40 | By Kiwis

Those that say ban selling cigarettes all together.... a) the government makes far too much off the taxes to consider it in the short term. b) seriously! We have far worse things impacting the health of our country - namely alcohol & obesity that cost our Health system far more than smokers. No am not a smoker - but I do believe they get a raw deal.


It should be....

Posted on 09-05-2015 01:03 | By GreertonBoy

An offence for an under 18 year old to attempt to buy cigarettes? Some 16-17 year olds pass for over 18, if a shop neglects to ask for id because they appear old enough, the shop can be fined. Surely then, if an under 18 tries to buy tobacco, then they (or their guardians) should be fined. Fair is fair... and as for government agencies using a minor to entrap a business, well, that is disgusting in itself. Tobacco may be bad for people in the long term, but other vices are far more deadly right now, instantly. Alcohol and gambling lead to road accidents, dangerous behaviour and even suicide. Tobacco should be made illegal, or else, since it is not illegal, it should be allowed to be sold to over 18's as any other commodity is. Entrapment by use of a minor should be illegal itself!


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