Dunedin Controlled Purchase Operation: One shop sells to underage youth

A Controlled Purchase Operation for tobacco was carried out in Dunedin on Thursday 27 November with 23 premises being tested for compliance under the Smoke-Free Environments Act 1990. It is illegal to sell tobacco to persons under the age of 18.

Staff at 22 of the stores refused to sell cigarettes to the underage volunteer who had been advised to give their correct age if asked, and was not carrying any identification.

Retailers are advised to always ask for identification when selling tobacco or herbal smoking products if anyone looks younger than 25 years of age. The only acceptable forms of identification are a drivers licence, passport, or HANZ 18+ card.

However, a staff member at one of the premises failed to ask the youth for identification and sold a packet of cigarettes. This means the seller could be issued a warning or an infringement notice of up to $500 by the Ministry of Health for selling tobacco to a minor.

Southern DHB Smoke-free Enforcement Officer Joanne Lee said “it is disappointing the youth was sold tobacco but hopefully this serves as a reminder to all retailers that checking for identification is very important”.

The Southern DHB is very pleased that the other premises complied with the law by asking the volunteer for identification.

Similar compliance checks will continue across the district in the future and employers and staff should remain vigilant with their legal requirements in relation to the sale of tobacco.

ENDS

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