Children selling tobacco to 14 year old

Children selling tobacco to 14 year old

Two children, working in retail outlets in Hawke’s Bay, sold cigarettes to a minor prompting outrage from the district health board

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s Medical Officer of Health Caroline McElnay said five retailers were caught selling tobacco to a minor, in a recent controlled purchasing operation carried out by the DHB, and in two of those instances minors were selling to another minor.

The operation involved one 14-year-old girl attempting to buy tobacco from retailers in Napier and Hastings.

“It is extremely disappointing that retailers continue to flout the law and sell tobacco to minors, and even more alarming that retailers have children, a 13 year old and a 14 year old, selling tobacco and not asking for ID.

“Smoking harms every organ in the body and early experimentation can lead to a lifetime addiction to nicotine.

“Retailers need to be vigilant as to whom they are selling tobacco to and must ask for photo ID if they are unsure about a young person’s age,” Dr McElnay said.

There is a fine of up to $2000 if prosecution is successful, and the information from this controlled purchasing information will be forwarded to the Ministry of Heath who make the final decision on whether to prosecute.

Dr McElnay said the DHB encouraged parents and family members to let the Public Health Unit know of retailers who were selling to minors.

Monitoring of tobacco sales will continue throughout Hawke’s Bay, and retailers need to ensure they and any family members or staff that work in their outlet were aware of the Smoke-free law and the consequences if it’s breached.

In October last year five Hawke’s Bay retailers were also caught selling to minors, four of which are proceeding to prosecution.

Under the Smokefree Environment Act 1990 it is an offence for anybody to sell tobacco to anyone under 18 years of age.

ENDS

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